Gold nanoparticle-catalysed functionalization of carbon–hydrogen bonds by carbene transfer reactions

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles stabilized by NHC ligands and supported onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) catalyse the functionalization of cyclohexane and benzene C–H bonds upon insertion of carbene CHCO₂Et (from N₂CHCO₂Et) groups. This is the first example in which such C_sp3-H or C_sp2-H bonds are functionalized with this strategy with nanoparticulated gold. This Au-NP@rGO material shows an exceptional activity, providing TON values 5–10 times higher than those already reported for molecular gold catalysts. Recyclability is also effective, reaching an accumulated TON value of 1400 after six consecutive uses.