Homogeneous and Nanoparticle Gold-Catalyzed Hydrothiocyanation of Haloalkynes.

The first homogeneous and heterogeneous nanoparticle gold-catalyzed addition of sulfur nucleophiles to alkynes was developed. More specifically, gold-catalyzed hydrothiocyanation of haloalkynes gave good yields and good stereoselectivity of vinyl thiocyanates. Furthermore, a sulfur-based gold catalyst (PPhAuSCN) has shown a unique reactivity in gold-catalyzed reactions such as the cyclization of N-propargylic amides.