GOCAT · Gold(III) Chemistry: Structures, Bonding, Reactivity and Catalysis

Maximising energy efficiency and competitiveness while minimising waste and environmental impact of chemical processes, from large scale commodities to fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, depends crucially on catalysis, and in particular on our ability to tailor catalysts to specific needs. Gold catalysts have seen a meteoric rise in recent years (nearly 40,000 WOS citations in 2011). However, since gold was so long considered inert, major compound classes are unknown. For example, we recently synthesized the first thermally stable gold(III) hydrides, gold peroxides (the first for gold in any oxidation state) and gold(III) alkene complexes (while platinum analogues of the latter have been known since 1827). Based on >20 years of pioneering research into the identification of catalytically active species and homogeneous catalytic reaction mechanisms, our ground-breaking results will form the basis of an ambitious programme on gold chemistry to delineate the structures and reactivities of these major classes of complexes. Ligand design will be of crucial importance to achieve the stability required for catalytic and synthetic applications. We have also found unprecedented reactivity that links these complexes to the water splitting cycle and hydrogen generation. Structure-reactivity relationships and mechanisms will be established that provide the knowledge base for general applicability. The outcomes will underpin synthetic methodology for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals and impact on the materials and medicinal applications of gold complexes.