Light-stable silver N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysts for the alkynylation of ketones in air

Abstract

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) silver(I) complexes were efficiently employed in the alkynylation of ketones. These cationic complexes were found highly active and efficient under mild conditions without the need of additive, and in air. The mechanism of this transformation was investigated. Experiments suggest the formation of a silver-acetylide key intermediate and the release of one ligand from the silver centre enabling the transformation.