The role of silver additives in gold-mediated C–H functionalisation

Abstract

The role of silver additives is examined in the context of gold-mediated functionalisation of aromatic C–H bonds. Doubt is cast on the commonly cited route of halide abstraction from gold and evidence of substrate activation is given.

Keywords

• C–H functionalisation
• gold catalyst
• halide abstraction
• N-heterocyclic carbene
• silver salt
• substrate activation