Gold catalysis hydration

Sanz, S., Jones, L.A., Mohr, F. and Laguna, M. (2007) Homogenous Catalysis with Gold Efficient Hydration of Phenylacetylene in Aqueous Media. OrganometaUics, 26(4), 952-957. 

For alkynes (and in part, allenes), synthetically useful protocols for Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov selective hydrations, hydroalkoxylations (mainly intramolecular), and hydrocarboxylations are available and find increasing applications in organic synthesis. In the past decade, the research focus on cationic gold(l) complexes has led to new additions to the catalysis toolbox. It can be predicted that a further refining of such tools for alkyne functionalization with respect to catalytic activity and functional group tolerance will take place. 

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