New [Au(NHC)(OH)] Complexes for Silver-Free Protocols

Novel (NHC)­gold­(I) hydroxides are reported. Their differing tolerances to air and moisture are rationalized by the varying abilities of the NHC ligands to sterically protect the reactive metal center. A number of gold hydroxides were used in the silver-free preparation of Gagosz-type catalysts. This general procedure led to analytically pure products while avoiding the use of expensive silver reagents.