Gold-Catalyzed Hydroamination of C-C Multiple Bonds

The development of general and efficient methods for the addition of an N–H bond across a C–C multiple bond (hydroamination) represents a significant challenge in both organic synthesis and homogeneous catalysis. Although a diverse range of transition‐metal complexes have been employed as catalysts for hydroamination, examples of gold‐catalyzed hydroamination were exceedingly rare prior to 2001. However, over the past five years gold complexes have been applied as catalysts for a number of selective organic transformations including the hydroamination of unactivated alkenes, alkynes, allenes, and 1,3‐dienes. This Microreview provides a brief overview of the gold‐catalyzed hydroamination of C–C multiple bonds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)