Reactivity of Gold Hydrides: O2 Insertion into the Au–H Bond

Dioxygen reacts with the gold­(I) hydride (IPr)­AuH under insertion to give the hydroperoxide (IPr)­AuOOH, a long-postulated reaction in gold catalysis and the first demonstration of O2 activation by Au–H in a well-defined system. Subsequent condensation gave the peroxide (IPr)­Au–OO–Au­(IPr) (IPr = 1,3-bis­(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)­imidazol-2-ylidene). The reaction kinetics are reported, as well as the reactivity of Au­(I) hydrides with radical scavengers.