Silica-Supported Cationic Gold(I) Complexes as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Regio- and Enantioselective Lactonization Reactions

An efficient method for the synthesis of heterogeneous gold catalysts has been developed. These catalysts were easily assembled from readily available silica materials and gold complexes. The heterogeneous catalysts exhibited superior reactivity in various reactions where protodeauration is the rate-limiting step. Dramatic enhancement in regio- and enantioselectivity was observed when compared to the homogeneous unsupported gold catalyst. The catalysts are easily recovered and recycled up to 11 times without loss of enantioselectivity.