Electrophilicity of -oxo gold carbene intermediates: halogen abstractions from halogenated solvents leading to the formation of chloro/bromomethyl ketonesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures, compound characterizations, and 1H and 13C NMR spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c2ob25235j

-Oxo gold carbenes generated via intermolecular oxidation of terminal alkynes are shown to be highly electrophilic and can effectively abstract halogen from halogenated solvents such as 1,2-dichloroethane or 1,2-dibromoethane. Chloro/bromomethyl ketones are prepared in moderate efficiencies in one step using Ph 3 PAuNTf 2 as the catalyst and 8-methylquinoline N -oxide as the oxidant. -Oxo gold carbenes generated via intermolecular oxidation of terminal alkynes can effectively abstract halogen from halogenated solvents.