Gold-Catalyzed Addition of HX to Alkynes

Abstract

Among the myriad of organic transformations that have been developed in the area of gold catalysis, the addition of HX to alkynes has been a field of intense investigation. This chapter presents the main and recent contributions in the field of gold-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of HX to alkynes. The presentation includes the addition of O-nucleophiles (including water, alcohols and carboxylic acids), of N-nucleophiles and other heteroatom nucleophiles (including thiols and halogens) to alkynes. The historical background for inter- and intramolecular additions, the domino processes and the applications to natural products synthesis are highlighted. Keywords: alcohol; alkyne; amide; amine; carboxylic acid; gold; heterocycle; nucleophilic addition; thiol