BINUCLEAR GOLD(I) COMPOUNDS FOR PHOTOCATALYSIS APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Gold (I) complexes that can absorb light in the near-UV and/or visible regions and methods of making and using thereof are described. These gold (I) complexes have photochemical reactivities, such as strong absorption of near-UV and/or visible light, quenching rate constants ≥3.5×105 s−1, etc., that allow them to catalyze photoredox reactions, such as homocoupling of organic halides (e.g. alkyl halides and aryl halides), alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, cyclization of indoles, reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, and/or C—H bonds cleavage, under near-UV and/or visible light. The product of a photo-induced organic reaction catalyzed by the gold (I) complexes described herein can have a yield that is higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction under the same reaction conditions, using the same loading or a higher loading of [Au2(μ-dppm)2](Cl)2, [Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)3] compared to the loading of the one or more gold (I) complex(es).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally in the field of gold (I) complexes and their use as photocatalysts in organic reactions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Photoredox catalysis has established as an effective means for organic synthesis under mild reaction conditions. Photoredox catalysis mostly employs d⁶ transition metal compounds such as iridium(III) and ruthenium(II) compounds as photocatalysts. This is mainly due to their known excited state properties and commercial availability. By tuning their structure, their excited state properties can be tuned for activating different kinds of organic substrates for reaction. However, due to the octahedral coordination geometry of iridium(III) and ruthenium(II) photocatalysts, these photocatalysts can only catalyze light-induced reactions via outer-sphere electron transfer and/or energy transfer. They cannot take part in reactions requiring substrate binding or trapping of radical by the metal complex (i.e., limited to outersphere electron transfer only). This poses limitation on the types of reactions that can be catalyzed.

d⁸ and d¹⁰ transition metal compounds are less explored for use in photoredox catalysis for organic transformation. An example is [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂]²⁺ (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane), which displays a high-energy ³[5dσ*6pσ] excited state that undergoes facile substrate binding in solution at room temperature. However, high-energy UVA light, such as UV (365 nm) light, is required to generate the triplet excited state and catalyze photochemical reactions, as absorptivity of this gold complex is <1×10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at wavelength beyond 330 nm, which poses difficulty in large scale synthesis and constraint on substrate scope.

There remains a need to develop gold (I) complexes that catalyze organic reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide gold (I) complexes that catalyze organic reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods of making the gold (I) complexes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods of using the gold (I) complexes in photocatalytic reactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Gold (I) complexes that can absorb light in the near-UV and/or visible regions and methods of making and using thereof are described. These gold (I) complexes have photochemical reactivities that allow them to catalyze photoredox reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

The gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula I:

where: (a) m can be 0, one positive charge, or two positive charges; (b) n can be an integer between 0 and 2; (c) when present, each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; (d) X₁-X₄ can be independently P or N; (e) L₁ and L₂ can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl; (f) CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl; (g) R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (h) n1-n8 can be independently an integer between zero and 10; (i) each can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, or a triple bond; (j) Z1 and Z2 can be independently absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphonate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (k) Z3 can be absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and (l) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an aroxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms, when CY₁-CY₈ of Formula I are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, at least one of R₁-R₈ is not hydrogen. In some forms of Formula I, at least one of CY₁-CY₈ is not an unsubstituted aryl. In some forms, the gold (I) complex disclosed herein is not [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula Ia, Formula Ib, or Formula Ic:

where: (a) each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; (b) X₁-X₄ can be independently P or N; (c) L₁ and L₂ can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, ether, polyether, thioether, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl; (d) CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl; (e) R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (f) n1-n8 can be independently an integer between 0 and 10; (g) each can be independently absent or a single bond; (h) Z1 and Z2 can be independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (i) Z3 can be a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and (j) the substituents can be as defined above for Formula I.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, L₁ and L₂ can be independently a single bond or

R₉ and R₁₀ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n9 can be an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, X1-X4 can be P. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula IIa, Formula IIb, or Formula IIc:

where: (a) n10 and n12 can be independently an integer between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1; (b) R₁-Rs can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (c) nl-n8 can be independently an integer between zero and 5; (d) each can be independently absent or a single bond; (e) Z1 and Z2 can be independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (f) Z3 can be a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (g) each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; and (h) the substituents can be as defined for Formula I.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, oxo, or alkoxy. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, haloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl,

and R₁₃ and R₁₄ can be independently hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, n14 can be an integer from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, or 0 or 1. In some forms, R₁₃ and R₁₄ can be independently unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, Z1-Z3 can be independently a halide, such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, or astatide, for example, chloride or bromide.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, each occurrence of A′ can be hydride, oxide, fluoride, sulfide, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, thiosulfate, sulfite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, hypobromite, carbonate, chromate, hydrogen carbonate, dichromate, perchlorate, acetate, formate, cyanide, amide, cyanate, peroxide, thiocyanate, oxalate, hydroxide, or permanganate. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, each occurrence of A′ can be a halide, such as fluoride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, or hypobromite, for example, a halide or perchlorate.

The gold (I) complexes described herein can be synthesized by reacting a corresponding ligand, optionally more than one corresponding ligand, with a gold precursor in a suitable solvent.

The gold (I) complexes described herein are suitable for use in photoredox catalysis, such as photo-induced organic reactions, for example, homocoupling of organic halides (e.g. alkyl halides and aryl halides), alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, cyclization of indoles, reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, and/or C—H bonds cleavage. In particular, these gold (I) complexes can absorb in the near UV and/or visible light wavelength range, such as from about 360 nm to about 450 nm or from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, and thus can catalyze photoredox reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

The methods of catalyzing an organic reaction using one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can include: (i) exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. Typically, the light for inducing the organic reaction has a wavelength in a range from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 370 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, from about 390 nm to about 450 nm, from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 405 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 445 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain a reactant, optionally more than one reactant, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es). Optionally, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine, imidazole, potassium carbonate, or sodium carbonate, or a combination thereof.

Generally, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture can be up to 10 mol %, up to 5 mol %, up to 2 mol %, at least 0.05 mol %, at least 0.1 mol %, in a range from about 0.05 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 2 mol %, or from about 0.5 mol % to about 1 mol %.

Typically, the product formed from the organic reaction catalyzed by one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield of at least 12%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, up to 99%, up to 98%, up to 95%, in a range from about 15% to about 99%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 99%, from about 50% to about 99%, from about 15% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 15% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 15% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 50% to about 80%.

The photocatalytic activity of the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can be higher compared to known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]. For example, the product of a photo-induced organic reaction using the one or more gold (I) complexes described herein has a yield that is higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction under the same reaction conditions, using the same loading or a higher loading of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] compared to the loading of the one or more gold (I) complex(es).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are ORTEP drawing of complexes 2a (FIG. 1A), 3a (FIG. 1B), 4a (FIG. 1C), and 5a (FIG. 1D) with thermal ellipsoids at the 30% probability level. Hydrogen atoms, solvent molecules and perchlorate anion have been omitted for clarity.

FIGS. 2A-2B are graphs showing the absorption (FIG. 2A) and emission (FIG. 2B) spectra of complexes 1a , 2b, and/or 4a in degassed CH₃CN at room temperature. FIGS. 2C-2G are graphs showing the emission spectra of 1b (FIG. 2C), 2b (FIG. 2D), 3b (FIG. 2E), 4a (FIG. 2F), and 5a (FIG. 2G) in the solid state and glassy media [DMF:EtOH:MeOH=1:1:4(V/V/V)] at 77 K.

FIG. 3A is a graph showing the nanosecond time-resolved absorption spectra of 4a in CH₃CN with ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M) after laser flash (the time zero for laser flash occurs at 0.012 μs; the time shown in the figure refers to the time after laser flash). FIG. 3B is a graph showing the femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption difference spectra of 4a in CH₃CN at various delay times after excitation at 266 nm.

FIG. 4A is a graph showing the calculated absorption sepctra of complexes 1b and 4a. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing calculated MO of 1b and 4a at S₀ state. Isovalue=0.03.

FIGS. 5A-5C are graphs showing the optimized T₁ structure of 1b (FIG. 5A), 1b-[ClO₄]₂ (FIG. 5B), 4a-[ClO₄]₂ (FIG. 5C), and 4a (FIG. 5D). FIG. 5E is a graph showing the calculated MO diagram of the 1b and 1b-ClO₄ complex at T₁ state.

FIG. 6A is a graph showing the kinetic studies of solutions containing complex 4a [0.04 mM] and ISP/ISP+BEB [2 mM for each] in the microsecond (upper) and millisecond (lower) time scale. ISP=2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, BEB=(2-bromoethyl)benzene. FIGS. 6B and 6C are graphs showing the ns-TA spectra of 4a in the presence of chlorobenzene [2 mM] at 100 μs [The experiment was conducted in the acetonitrile solution containing ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M)] (FIG. 6B) and kinetic analysis of selected absorption peaks in the acetonitrile solution of 4a [0.04 mM] in the presence of chlorobenzene [2 mM] with ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M) (FIG. 6C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Definitions

It is to be understood that the disclosed compounds, compositions, and methods are not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific analytical techniques, or to particular reagents unless otherwise specified, and, as such, may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular forms and embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

“Substituted,” as used herein, refers to all permissible substituents of the compounds or functional groups described herein. In the broadest sense, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include, but are not limited to, halogens, hydroxyl groups, or any other organic groupings containing any number of carbon atoms, preferably 1-14 carbon atoms, and optionally include one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen grouping in linear, branched, or cyclic structural formats. Representative substituents include a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phenoxy, an aroxy, a silyl, a thiol, an alkylthio, a substituted alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, an amino acid. Such a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phenoxy, an aroxy, a silyl, a thiol, an alkylthio, a substituted alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, and an amino acid can be further substituted.

Heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. It is understood that “substitution” or “substituted” includes the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, i.e. a compound that does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc.

“Alkyl,” as used herein, refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups, including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl, and cycloalkyl (alicyclic). In some forms, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl has 30 or fewer carbon atoms in its backbone (e.g., C₁-C₃₀ for straight chains, C₃-C₃₀ for branched chains), 20 or fewer, 15 or fewer, or 10 or fewer. Alkyl includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl and the like. Likewise, a cycloalkyl is a non-aromatic carbon-based ring composed of at least three carbon atoms, such as a nonaromatic monocyclic or nonaromatic polycyclic ring containing 3-30 carbon atoms, 3-20 carbon atoms, or 3-10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and have 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure. Cycloalkyls containing a polycyclic ring system can have two or more non-aromatic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused cycloalkyl rings”). Examples of cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctanyl, etc.

The term “alkyl” as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls,” the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties having one or more substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine), hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), aryl, alkoxyl, aralkyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphonyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, a phosphinate, amino, amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, oxo, sulfhydryl, thiol, alkylthio, silyl, sulfinyl, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are independently hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl, and wherein the nitrogen atom is optionally quaternized; —SR, wherein R is a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl a hydrogen, an alkyl, or an aryl; —CN; —NO₂; —COOH; carboxylate; —COR, —COOR, or —CON(R)₂, wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl; imino, silyl, ether, haloalkyl (such as —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —CCl₃); —CN; —NCOCOCH₂CH₂; —NCOCOCHCH; and —NCS; and combinations thereof. The term “alkyl” also includes “heteroalkyl”.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of a substituted alkyl may include halogen, hydroxy, nitro, thiols, amino, aralkyl, azido, imino, amido, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl (including phosphonate and phosphinate), oxo, sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl and sulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthios, carbonyls (including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), haloalkyls, —CN and the like. Cycloalkyls can be substituted in the same manner.

Unless the number of carbons is otherwise specified, “lower alkyl” as used herein means an alkyl group, as defined above, but having from one to ten carbons, more preferably from one to six carbon atoms in its backbone structure. Likewise, “lower alkenyl” and “lower alkynyl” have similar chain lengths.

“Heteroalkyl,” as used herein, refers to straight or branched chain, or cyclic carbon-containing alkyl radicals, or combinations thereof, containing at least one heteroatom. Suitable heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, O, N, Si, P and S, wherein the nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen heteroatom is optionally quaternized. For example, the term “heterocycloalkyl group” is a cycloalkyl group as defined above where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring is substituted with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, or phosphorus.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of from 2 to 24 carbon atoms and structural formula containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Alkenyl groups include straight-chain alkenyl groups, branched-chain alkenyl, and cycloalkenyl. A cycloalkenyl is a non-aromatic carbon-based ring composed of at least three carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, such as a nonaromatic monocyclic or nonaromatic polycyclic ring containing 3-30 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, 3-20 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, or 3-10 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in their ring structure, and have 5, 6 or 7 carbons and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring structure. Cycloalkenyls containing a polycyclic ring system can have two or more non-aromatic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused cycloalkenyl rings”) and contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Asymmetric structures such as (AB)C=C(C′D) are intended to include both the E and Z isomers. This may be presumed in structural formulae herein wherein an asymmetric alkene is present, or it may be explicitly indicated by the bond symbol C. The term “alkenyl” as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkenyls” and “substituted alkenyls,” the latter of which refers to alkenyl moieties having one or more substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. The term “alkenyl” also includes “heteroalkenyl”.

The term “substituted alkenyl” refers to alkenyl moieties having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, oxo, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

“Heteroalkenyl,” as used herein, refers to straight or branched chain, or cyclic carbon-containing alkenyl radicals, or combinations thereof, containing at least one heteroatom. Suitable heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, O, N, Si, P and S, wherein the nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen heteroatom is optionally quaternized. For example, the term “heterocycloalkenyl group” is a cycloalkenyl group where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring is substituted with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, or phosphorus.

The term “alkynyl group” as used herein is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 24 carbon atoms and a structural formula containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Alkynyl groups include straight-chain alkynyl groups, branched-chain alkynyl, and cycloalkynyl. A cycloalkynyl is a non-aromatic carbon-based ring composed of at least three carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, such as a nonaromatic monocyclic or nonaromatic polycyclic ring containing 3-30 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, 3-20 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, or 3-10 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond in their ring structure, and have 5, 6 or 7 carbons and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond in the ring structure. Cycloalkynyls containing a polycyclic ring system can have two or more non-aromatic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused cycloalkynyl rings”) and contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Asymmetric structures such as (AB)C≡C(C″D) are intended to include both the E and Z isomers. This may be presumed in structural formulae herein wherein an asymmetric alkyne is present, or it may be explicitly indicated by the bond symbol C. The term “alkynyl” as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkynyls” and “substituted alkynyls,” the latter of which refers to alkynyl moieties having one or more substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. The term “alkynyl” also includes “heteroalkynyl”.

The term “substituted alkynyl” refers to alkynyl moieties having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof. “Heteroalkynyl,” as used herein, refers to straight or branched chain, or cyclic carbon-containing alkynyl radicals, or combinations thereof, containing at least one heteroatom. Suitable heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, O, N, Si, P and S, wherein the nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen heteroatom is optionally quaternized. For example, the term “heterocycloalkynyl group” is a cycloalkynyl group where at least one of the carbon atoms of the ring is substituted with a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, or phosphorus.

The term “aryl” as used herein is any C₅-C₂₆ carbon-based aromatic group, heteroaromatic, fused aromatic, or fused heteroaromatic. For example, “aryl,” as used herein can include 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 14-, 18-, and 24-membered single-ring aromatic groups, including, but not limited to, benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene, corannulene, coronene, etc. “Aryl” further encompasses polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused aromatic rings”), wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic ring or rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/or heterocycles. The aryl group can be substituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl, aryl, halide, nitro, amino, ester, ketone, aldehyde, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, or alkoxy.

The term “substituted aryl” refers to an aryl group, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more aromatic rings are substituted with one or more substituents. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, carbonyl (such as a ketone, aldehyde, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, imino, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl (such as CF3, —CH₂—CF₃, —CCl₃), —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

“Heterocycle” and “heterocyclyl” are used interchangeably, and refer to a cyclic radical attached via a ring carbon or nitrogen atom of a non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic ring containing 3-30 ring atoms, 3-20 ring atoms, 3-10 ring atoms, or 5-6 ring atoms, where each ring contains carbon and one to four heteroatoms each selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(Y) wherein Y is absent or is H, O, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, and optionally containing 1-3 double bonds and optionally substituted with one or more substituents. Heterocyclyl are distinguished from heteroaryl by definition. Heterocycles can be a heterocycloalkyl, a heterocycloalkenyl, a heterocycloalkynyl, etc, such as piperazinyl, piperidinyl, piperidonyl, 4-piperidonyl, dihydrofuro[2,3-b]tetrahydrofuran, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, piperidonyl, 4-piperidonyl, piperonyl, pyranyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinuclidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl. Heterocyclic groups can optionally be substituted with one or more substituents as defined above for alkyl and aryl.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to C₅-C₃₀-membered aromatic, fused aromatic, biaromatic ring systems, or combinations thereof, in which one or more carbon atoms on one or more aromatic ring structures have been substituted with a heteroatom. Suitable heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Broadly defined, “heteroaryl,” as used herein, includes 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 14-, 18-, and 24-membered single-ring aromatic groups that may include from one to four heteroatoms, for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, triazole, tetrazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine and pyrimidine, and the like. The heteroaryl group may also be referred to as “aryl heterocycles” or “heteroaromatics”. “Heteroaryl” further encompasses polycyclic ring systems having two or more rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused rings”) wherein at least one of the rings is heteroaromatic, e.g., the other cyclic ring or rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heterocycles, or combinations thereof. Examples of heteroaryl rings include, but are not limited to, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzoxazolinyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl, benztetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazolinyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, 1H-indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, 3H-indolyl, isatinoyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, methylenedioxyphenyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxindolyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole, pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiophenyl and xanthenyl. One or more of the rings can be substituted as defined below for “substituted heteroaryl”.

The term “substituted heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more heteroaromatic rings are substituted with one or more substituents. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, carbonyl (such as a ketone, aldehyde, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, imino, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl (such as CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —CCl₃), —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “polyaryl” refers to a chemical moiety that includes two or more aryls, heteroaryls, and combinations thereof. The aryls, heteroaryls, and combinations thereof, are fused, or linked via a single bond, ether, ester, carbonyl, amide, sulfonyl, sulfonamide, alkyl, azo, and combinations thereof. For example, a “polyaryl” can be polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (i.e., “fused aromatic rings”), wherein two or more of the rings are aromatic. When two or more heteroaryls are involved, the chemical moiety can be referred to as a “polyheteroaryl.”

The term “substituted polyaryl” refers to a polyaryl in which one or more of the aryls, heteroaryls are substituted, with one or more substituents. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof. When two or more heteroaryls are involved, the chemical moiety can be referred to as a “substituted polyheteroaryl.”

The term “cyclic ring” refers to a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic ring or a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring (such as those formed from single or fused ring systems), such as a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, that have from three to 30 carbon atoms, as geometric constraints permit. The substituted cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, and heterocyclyls are substituted as defined above for the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, heterocyclyls, aryls, heteroaryl, polyaryls, and polyheteroaryls, respectively.

The term “aralkyl” as used herein is an aryl group or a heteroaryl group having an alkyl, alkynyl, or alkenyl group as defined above attached to the aromatic group, such as an aryl, a heteroaryl, a polyaryl, or a polyheteroaryl. An example of an aralkyl group is a benzyl group.

The terms “alkoxyl” or “alkoxy,” “aroxy” or “aryloxy,” generally describe compounds represented by the formula —OR^v, wherein R^v includes, but is not limited to, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, and an amino. Exemplary alkoxyl groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, tert-butoxy and the like. A “lower alkoxy” group is an alkoxy group containing from one to six carbon atoms. An “ether” is two functional groups covalently linked by an oxygen as defined below. Accordingly, the substituent of an alkyl that renders that alkyl an ether is or resembles an alkoxyl, such as can be represented by one of —O-alkyl, —O-alkenyl, —O-alkynyl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-polyaryl, —O-polyheteroaryl, —O-heterocyclyl, etc.

The term “substituted alkoxy” refers to an alkoxy group having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbons of the alkoxy backbone. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, oxo, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “ether” as used herein is represented by the formula A²OA¹, where A² and A¹ can be, independently, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, an alkoxy, an amido, or an amino, described above.

The term “polyether” as used herein is represented by the formula:

where A³, A², and A¹ can be, independently, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, an alkoxy, an amido, or an amino, described above; g can be a positive integer from 1 to 30.

The term “phenoxy” is art recognized and refers to a compound of the formula —OR^v wherein R^v is (i.e., —O—C₆H₅). One of skill in the art recognizes that a phenoxy is a species of the aroxy genus.

The term “substituted phenoxy” refers to a phenoxy group, as defined above, having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbons of the phenyl ring. Such substituents include, but are not limited to, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The terms “aroxy” and “aryloxy,” as used interchangeably herein, are represented by —O-aryl or —O-heteroaryl, wherein aryl and heteroaryl are as defined herein.

The terms “substituted aroxy” and “substituted aryloxy,” as used interchangeably herein, represent —O-aryl or —O-heteroaryl, having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more ring atoms of the aryl and heteroaryl, as defined herein. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “amino” as used herein includes the group

wherein, E is absent, or E is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, wherein independently of E, R^x, R^xi, and R^xii each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8. The term “quaternary amino” also includes the groups where the nitrogen, R^x, R^xi, and R^xii with the N⁺ to which they are attached complete a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “amide” or “amido” are used interchangeably, refer to both “unsubstituted amido” and “substituted amido” and are represented by the general formula:

wherein, E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, wherein independently of E, R and R′ each independently represent a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or R and R′ taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8. In some forms, when E is oxygen, a carbamate is formed.

“Carbonyl,” as used herein, is art-recognized and includes such moieties as can be represented by the general formula:

wherein X is a bond, or represents an oxygen or a sulfur, and R represents a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R″, or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt; E″ is absent, or E″ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; R′ represents a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R″; R″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8. Where X is oxygen and R is defined as above, the moiety is also referred to as a carboxyl group. When X is oxygen and R is hydrogen, the formula represents a “carboxylic acid”. Where X is oxygen and R′ is hydrogen, the formula represents a “formate”. Where X is oxygen and R or R′ is not hydrogen, the formula represents an “ester”. In general, where the oxygen atom of the above formula is replaced by a sulfur atom, the formula represents a “thiocarbonyl” group. Where X is sulfur and R or R′ is not hydrogen, the formula represents a “thioester”. Where X is sulfur and R is hydrogen, the formula represents a “thiocarboxylic acid”. Where X is sulfur and R′ is hydrogen, the formula represents a “thioformate”. Where X is a bond and R is not hydrogen, the above formula represents a “ketone”. Where X is a bond and R is hydrogen, the above formula represents an “aldehyde”.

The term “substituted carbonyl” refers to a carbonyl, as defined above, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms in R, R′ or a group to which the moiety

is attached, are independently substituted. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “carboxyl” is as defined above for carbonyl and is defined more specifically by the formula —R^ivCOOH, wherein R^iv is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

The term “substituted carboxyl” refers to a carboxyl, as defined above, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms in R^iv are substituted. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “phosphanyl” is represented by the formula

wherein, E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, wherein independently of E, R^vi and R^vii each independently represent a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or R^vi and R^vii taken together with the P atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “phosphonium” is represented by the formula

wherein, E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, wherein independently of E, R^vi, R^vii, and R^viii each independently represent a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or R^vi, R^viii, and R^viii taken together with the P⁺ atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “phosphonyl” is represented by the formula

wherein E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, oxygen, alkoxy, aroxy, or substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, wherein, independently of E, R^vi and R^vii are independently a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or R^vi and R^vii taken together with the P atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “substituted phosphonyl” represents a phosphonyl in which E, R^vi and R^vii are independently substituted. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “phosphoryl” defines a phosphonyl in which E is absent, oxygen, alkoxy, aroxy, substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, as defined above, and independently of E, R^vi and R^vii are independently hydroxyl, alkoxy, aroxy, substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, as defined above. When E is oxygen, the phosphoryl cannot be attached to another chemical species, such as to form an oxygen-oxygen bond, or other unstable bonds, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. When E, R^vi and R^vii are substituted, the substituents include, but are not limited to, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “sulfinyl” is represented by the formula

wherein E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, wherein independently of E, R represents a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a silyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or E and R taken together with the S atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “sulfonyl” is represented by the formula

wherein E is absent, or E is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, wherein independently of E, R represents a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or E and R taken together with the S atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “substituted sulfonyl” represents a sulfonyl in which E, R, or both, are independently substituted. Such substituents can be any substituents described above, e.g., halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, polyaryl, polyheteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “sulfonic acid” refers to a sulfonyl, as defined above, wherein R is hydroxyl, and E is absent, or E is substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

The term “sulfate” refers to a sulfonyl, as defined above, wherein E is absent, oxygen, alkoxy, aroxy, substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, as defined above, and R is independently hydroxyl, alkoxy, aroxy, substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, as defined above. When E is oxygen, the sulfate cannot be attached to another chemical species, such as to form an oxygen-oxygen bond, or other unstable bonds, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The term “sulfonate” refers to a sulfonyl, as defined above, wherein E is oxygen, alkoxy, aroxy, substituted alkoxy or substituted aroxy, as defined above, and R is independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted amino, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, —(CH₂)_m—R′″, R′″ represents a hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, an aryl, a cycloalkyl ring, a cycloalkenyl ring, a heterocycle, an amido, an amino, or a polycycle; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8. When E is oxygen, sulfonate cannot be attached to another chemical species, such as to form an oxygen-oxygen bond, or other unstable bonds, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The term “sulfamoyl” refers to a sulfonamide or sulfonamide represented by the formula

wherein E is absent, or E is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, wherein independently of E, R and R′ each independently represent a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a hydroxyl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, an amino, or —(CH₂)_m—R′″, or R and R′ taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 3 to 14 atoms in the ring structure; R′″ represents a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, an alkoxy, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, or an amino; and m is zero or an integer ranging from 1 to 8.

The term “silyl group” as used herein is represented by the formula —SiRR′R″, where R, R′, and R″ can be, independently, a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, a thiol, an amido, an amino, an alkoxy, or an oxo, described above.

The terms “thiol” are used interchangeably and are represented by —SR, where R can be a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl (e.g. a substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, etc.), a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, an amido, an amino, an alkoxy, an oxo, a phosphonyl, a sulfinyl, or a silyl, described above.

The term “alkylthio” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, having a sulfur radical attached thereto. The “alkylthio” moiety is represented by -S-alkyl. Representative alkylthio groups include methylthio, ethylthio, and the like. The term “alkylthio” also encompasses cycloalkyl groups having a sulfur radical attached thereto.

The term “substituted alkylthio” refers to an alkylthio group having one or more substituents replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on one or more carbon atoms of the alkylthio backbone. Such substituents include, but are not limited to, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The term “phenylthio” is art recognized, and refers to —S—C₆H₅, i.e. , a phenyl group attached to a sulfur atom.

The term “substituted phenylthio” refers to a phenylthio group, as defined above, having one or more substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the phenyl ring. Such substituents include, but are not limited to, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

“Arylthio” refers to -5-aryl or -5-heteroaryl groups, wherein aryl and heteroaryl as defined herein.

The term “substituted arylthio” represents -5-aryl or -5-heteroaryl, having one or more substituents replacing a hydrogen atom on one or more ring atoms of the aryl and heteroaryl rings as defined herein. Such substituents include, but are not limited to, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), silyl, ether, ester, thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl, phosphonium, phosphanyl, phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, amino (e.g. quarternized amino), amido, amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, —CN, aryl, heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.

The terms “hydroxyl” and “hydroxy” are used interchangeably and are represented by —OH.

The term “oxo” refers to ═O bonded to a carbon atom.

The terms “cyano” and “nitrile” are used interchangeably to refer to —CN.

The term “nitro” refers to —NO₂.

The term “phosphate” refers to —O—PO₃.

The term “azide” or “azido” are used interchangeably to refer to —N₃.

The disclosed compounds and substituent groups, can, independently, possess two or more of the groups listed above. For example, if the compound or substituent group is a straight chain alkyl group, one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group can be substituted with a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, etc. Depending upon the groups that are selected, a first group can be incorporated within second group or, alternatively, the first group can be pendant (i.e., attached) to the second group. For example, with the phrase “an alkyl group comprising an ester group,” the ester group can be incorporated within the backbone of the alkyl group. Alternatively, the ester can be attached to the backbone of the alkyl group. The nature of the group(s) that is (are) selected will determine if the first group is embedded or attached to the second group.

The compounds and substituents can be substituted with, independently, with the substituents described above in the definition of “substituted.”

II. Gold (I) Complexes

Gold (I) complexes that can catalyze organic reactions under near UV and/or visible light have been developed. Generally, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein contain diphosphine ligands with functionalized ring structures. Without being bound to any theories, these gold (I) complexes have vacant coordination sites that can facilitate binding of substrate(s) and trapping of radical(s). The electronic and steric properties of the bridging ligand of these gold (I) complexes allow reactivity of the metal-metal bonded ³[5dσ*6pσ] excited state toward incoming substrate/trapping of carbon central radical and improve the light absorption in the visible spectral region.

These gold (I) complexes have superior photochemical reactivity (e.g. strong absorption in near UV and/or visible light wavelength, large quenching rate constants, large radiative decay rate, etc.), and should be suitable for use in photoredox catalysis, such as homocoupling of organic halides (e.g. alkyl halides and aryl halides), alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, cyclization of indoles, reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, and/or C—H bonds cleavage. In particular, these gold (I) complexes can absorb in the near UV and/or visible light wavelength range, such as from 360 nm to about 450 nm or from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, and thus can catalyze photoredox reactions under near-UV and/or visible light. For example, these gold (I) complexes can act as near UV- and/or visible light-activated carbon-halide cleaving agents under mild reaction conditions, such as at room temperature.

The photocatalytic activity of these gold (I) complexes is higher compared to known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂,and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]. For example, the product of a photo-induced organic reaction using the one or more gold (I) complexes described herein, such as those described above, has a yield that is higher than the yield of the same product of the same reaction under the same reaction conditions (e.g. same amount of reactants, base, and solvent, light at the same wavelength, same temperature, pressure, gas environment, humidity, and reaction time, etc.), using the same loading or a higher loading of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] compared to the loading of the gold (I) complex disclosed herein.

A. Gold (I) Complex Structures

The gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula I:

where: (a) m can be 0, one positive charge, or two positive charges; (b) n can be an integer between 0 and 2; (c) when present, each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; (d) X₁-X₄ can be independently P or N; (e) L₁ and L₂ can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl; (f) CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl; (g) R₁-Rs can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (h) n1-n8 can be independently an integer between zero and 10; (i) each - - - can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, or a triple bond; (j) Z1 and Z2 can be independently absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (k) Z3 can be absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and (l) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), a phenoxy, an aroxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms, when CY₁-CY₈ of Formula I are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, at least one of R₁-R₈ is not hydrogen. In some forms of Formula I, at least one of CY₁-CY₈ is not an unsubstituted aryl. In some forms, the gold (I) complex disclosed herein is not [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula Ia, Formula Ib, or Formula Ic:

where: (a) each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; (b) X₁-X₄ can be independently P or N; (c) L₁ and L₂ can be independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, ether, polyether, thioether, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl; (d) CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl; (e) R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (f) n1-n8 can be independently an integer between 0 and 10; (g) each - - - can be independently absent or a single bond; (h) Z1 and Z2 can be independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (i) Z3 can be a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and (j) the substituents can be as defined above for Formula I.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, L₁ and L₂ can be independently a single bond or

R₉ and R₁₀ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n9 can be an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, X1-X4 can be P.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, CY₁-CY₈ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, and/or Ic, CY₁-CY₈ can be independently:

where: (a) R₆₀-R₆₆ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (b) n60-n66 can be independently an integer from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, 0 or 1; (c) Q₁ and Q₂ can be independently oxygen, sulfur, NR₆₇, or CR₆₈R₆₉, and R₆₇-R₆₉ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; and (d) the substituents can be as defined above for Formula I. In some forms, R₆₇-R₆₉ can be independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, such as a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂ alkyl, an unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, an unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, an unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, or an unsubstituted C₁-C₂ alkyl.

In some forms, R₆₀-R₆₆ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, aliphatic alcohol, haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), amino, or alkoxy; and the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), or an amino, or a combination thereof.

In some forms, R₆₀-R₆₆ can be independently hydrogen, haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), alkoxyl (e.g. —O-alkyl, such as —OMe), a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, an amino, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a hydroxyl, aliphatic alcohol, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an unsubstituted alkenyl; and the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, etc.), an unsubstituted alkenyl (methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, etc.), an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a phenyl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an alkoxyl (e.g. —O-alkyl, such as —OMe), a halogen, a hydroxyl, or a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), or a combination thereof.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes can have the structure of Formula IIa, Formula IIb, or Formula IIc:

where: (a) n10 and n12 can be independently an integer between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1; (b) R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (c) nl-n8 can be independently an integer between zero and 5; (d) each can be independently absent or a single bond; (e) Z1 and Z2 can be independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a phosphate, a perchlorate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (f) Z3 can be a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; (g) each occurrence of A′ can be an anion; and (h) the substituents can be as defined for Formula I.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), oxo, amino, or alkoxy

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, oxo, or alkoxy.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), alkoxyl (e.g. —O-alkyl, such as —OMe), a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, an amino, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a hydroxyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an unsubstituted alkenyl.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, R₁-R₈ can be independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, unsubstituted alkyl (such as unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl), unsubstituted alkenyl (such as unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkenyl), haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), aliphatic alcohol, —NR₇₀R₇₁, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl,

R₁₃ and R₁₄ can be independently halogen, hydrogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), alkoxyl (e.g. —O-alkyl, such as —OMe), unsubstituted alkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and n14 can be an integer from 0 to 5, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 3, from 0 to 2, such as 0, 1, or 2, and R₇₀ and R₇₁ can be independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, an amino, an alkoxyl, or a carbonyl. In some forms, R₇₀ and R₇₁ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl (such as unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl), or unsubstituted phenyl. When R₁-R₈ are all trifluoromethyl and n14 is 2, at least one of R₁-R₈ is not

In some forms, R₁₃ and R₁₄ can be independently unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl (e.g. n-butyl or t-butyl), pentyl, hexyl, etc. When any of R₁-R₈ for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl or polyaryl, the heterocyclyl or polyaryl can have the structure of:

where CY₉-CY₁₂ can be independently absent or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl; and Q₃-Q₇ can be independently oxygen, sulfur, NR₇₂, or CR₇₃R₇₄, and R₇₂-R₇₄ can be independently absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; and the substituents can be as defined above for Formula I. In some forms, R₇₂-R₇₄ can be independently absent, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, an amino, an alkoxyl, or a carbonyl. In some forms, R₇₂-R₇₄ can be independently absent, hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. In some forms, R₇₂-R₇₄ can be independently absent or hydrogen.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, Z1-Z3 can be independently a halide, such as fluride, chloride, bromide, or iodide, for example, chloride or bromide.

In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, each occurrence of A′ can be hydride, oxide, fluoride, sulfide, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, thiosulfate, sulfite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, hypobromite, carbonate, chromate, hydrogen carbonate, dichromate, perchlorate, acetate, formate, cyanide, amide, cyanate, peroxide, thiocyanate, oxalate, hydroxide, or permanganate. In some forms of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and/or IIc, each occurrence of A′ can be a halide (e.g., fluoride, bromide, iodide), perchlorate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, or hypobromite, for example, a halide or perchlorate.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), an amino, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, etc.), an unsubstituted alkenyl (methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, etc.), an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a phenyl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an alkoxyl (e.g. —O-alkyl, such as —OMe), a halogen, a hydroxyl, or a haloalkyl (e.g. —CF₃), or a combination thereof.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the alkyl can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic). The terms “cyclic alkyl” and “cycloalkyl” are used interchangeably herein. Exemplary alkyl include a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀, C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group. The cyclic alkyl can be polycyclic alkyl, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄- C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkyl group.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the alkenyl can be a linear alkenyl, a branched alkenyl, or a cyclic alkenyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic). The terms “cyclic alkenyl” and “cycloalkenyl” are used interchangeably herein. Exemplary alkenyl include a linear C₂-C₃₀ alkenyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkenyl, a linear C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkenyl, a linear C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkenyl, a linear C₂-C₆ alkenyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkenyl, a linear C₂-C₄ alkenyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkenyl, such as a linear C₂-C₁₀, C₂-C₉, C₂-C₈, C₂-C₇, C₂-C₆, C₂-C₅, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂ alkenyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ alkenyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ alkenyl group. The cyclic alkenyl can be polycyclic alkenyl, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkenyl group.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the alkynyl can be a linear alkynyl, a branched alkynyl, or a cyclic alkynyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic). The terms “cyclic alkynyl” and “cycloalkynyl” are used interchangeably herein. Exemplary alkynyl include a linear C₂-C₃₀ alkynyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃o alkynyl, a linear C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkynyl, a linear C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkynyl, a linear C₂-C₆ alkynyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkynyl, a linear C₂-C₄ alkynyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkynyl, such as a linear C₂-C₁₀ , C₂-C₉, C₂-C₈, C₂-C₇, C₂-C₆, C₂-C₅, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂ alkynyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ alkynyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ alkynyl group. The cyclic alkynyl can be polycyclic alkynyl, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkynyl group.

It is understood that any of the exemplary alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups can be heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, and heteroalkynyl, respectively. For example, the alkyl can be a linear C₂-C₃₀ heteroalkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ heteroalkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ heteroalkyl (i.e. a monocycloheteroalkyl or polycycloheteroalkyl), a linear C₂-C₂₀ heteroalkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ heteroalkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ heteroalkyl, a linear C₂-C₁₀ heteroalkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ heteroalkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ heteroalkyl, a linear C₂-C₆ heteroalkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ heteroalkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ heteroalkyl, a linear C₂-C₄ heteroalkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ heteroalkyl, such as a linear C₂-C₁₀ , C₂-C₉, C₂-C₈, C₂-C₇, C₂-C₆, C₂-C₅, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂ heteroalkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉ C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆ C₃-0₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkyl group. The cyclic heteroalkyl can be polycyclic, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀ , C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic heteroalkyl group.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the alkenyl can be a linear C₂-C₃₀ heteroalkenyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ heteroalkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ heteroalkenyl (i.e. a monocycloheteroalkenyl or polycycloheteroalkenyl), a linear C₂-C₂₀ heteroalkenyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ heteroalkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ heteroalkenyl, a linear C₂-C₁₀ heteroalkenyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ heteroalkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ heteroalkenyl, a linear C₂-C₆ heteroalkenyl, a branched C₄-C₆ heteroalkenyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ heteroalkenyl, a linear C₂-C₄ heteroalkenyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ heteroalkenyl, such as a linear C₂-C₁₀ , C₂-C₉, C₂-C₈, C₂-C₇, C₂-C₆, C₂-Cs, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂ heteroalkenyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkenyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkenyl group. The cyclic heteroalkenyl can be polycyclic, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀ , C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic heteroalkenyl group.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the alkynyl can be a linear C₂-C₃₀ heteroalkynyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ heteroalkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ heteroalkynyl (i.e. a monocycloheteroalkynyl or polycycloheteroalkynyl), a linear C₂-C₂₀ heteroalkynyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ heteroalkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ heteroalkynyl, a linear C₂-C₁₀ heteroalkynyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ heteroalkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ heteroalkynyl, a linear C₂-C₆ heteroalkynyl, a branched C₄-C₆ heteroalkynyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ heteroalkynyl, a linear C₂-C₄ heteroalkynyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ heteroalkynyl, such as a linear C₂-C₁₀, C₂-C₉, C₂-C₈, C₂-C₇, C₂-C₆, C₂-Cs, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂ heteroalkynyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkynyl group, or a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄ heteroalkynyl group. The cyclic heteroalkynyl can be polycyclic, such as a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-Cs polycyclic heteroalkynyl group.

For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the aryl group can be a C₅-C₃₀ aryl, a C₅-C₂₀ aryl, a C₅-C₁₂ aryl, a C₅-C₁₁ aryl, a C₅-C₉ aryl, a C₆-C₂₀ aryl, a C₆-C₁₂ aryl, a C₆-C₁₁ aryl, or a C₆-C₉ aryl. It is understood that the aryl can be a heteroaryl, such as a C₅-C₃₀ heteroaryl, a C₅-C₂₀ heteroaryl, a C₅-C₁₂ heteroaryl, a C₅-C₁₁ heteroaryl, a C₅-C₉ heteroaryl, a C₆-C₃₀ heteroaryl, a C₆-C₂₀ heteroaryl, a C₆-C₁₂ heteroaryl, a C₆-C₁₁ heteroaryl, or a C₆-C₉ heteroaryl. For any of Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc, the polyaryl group can be a C₁₀-C₃₀ polyaryl, a C₁₀-C₂₀ polyaryl, a C₁₀-C₁₂ polyaryl, a C₁₀-C₁₁ polyaryl, or a C₁₂-C₂₀ polyaryl. It is understood that the aryl can be a polyheteroaryl, such as a C₁₀-C₃₀ polyheteroaryl, a C₁₀-C₂₀ polyheteroaryl, a C₁₀-C₁₂ polyheteroaryl, a C₁₀-C₁₁ polyheteroaryl, or a C₁₂-C₂₀ polyheteroaryl.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein are not [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂ having the structure of 1a and are not [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](ClO₄)₂ having the structure of 1b:

The gold (I) complexes may contain one or more chiral centers or may otherwise be capable of existing as multiple stereoisomers. These may be pure (single) stereoisomers or mixtures of stereoisomers, such as enantiomers, diastereomers, and enantiomerically or diastereomerically enriched mixtures. The compounds may be capable of existing as geometric isomers. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention includes pure geometric isomers or mixtures of geometric isomers.

1. Exemplary Gold (I) Complexes

Exemplary gold (I) complexes are presented below.

B. Gold (I) Complexes Properties

The gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have superior photochemical reactivity (e.g. strong absorption in near UV and/or visible light wavelength, large quenching rate constants, large radiative decay rate, etc.) suitable for use in photoredox catalysis. In particular, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can absorb in the near UV and/or visible light wavelength range, such as from about 360 nm to about 450 nm or from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, and thus can catalyze photoredox reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

The photochemical reactivities of the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can be evaluated by absorption wavelength, extinction coefficient (“ε”), radiative decay rate (“k_r”), diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constant (“k_q′”), and/or reduction potential (“E_c”). Techniques for measuring the absorption wavelength, ε, k_r, k_q′, and E_c of these gold (I) complexes are known. For example, the absorption wavelength, ε, and k_r can be obtained by measuring the absorption and/or emission spectra and/or emission lifetime of a gold (I) complex disclosed herein. For example, the absorption wavelength of the disclosed gold (I) complexes in solutions or as powders, can be directly obtained by absolute measurement using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, such as a Hewlett Packard (HP) 8453 UV-visible spectrophotometer.

For example, the c of the disclosed gold (I) complexes can be obtained based on the measured absorption spectra. For example, c is obtained using the equation, E =A/(c×l), where A is the measured absorbance, c is the concentration of the gold (I) complex in a solvent, such as acetonitrile or N,N-dimethyl formamide or a combination thereof, 1 is path length of the measured solution, which is 1 cm. In these measurements, the concentration of the gold (I) complex can be in a range from about 5×10⁻⁶ to about 3×10⁻⁵ M.

For example, the k_r of the disclosed gold (I) complexes can be obtained using the equation, k_r=Φ/τ, where Φ is the emission quantum yield, τ is the emission lifetime. Emission quantum yield can be obtained using, for example, [Ru(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂ in degassed acetonitrile as standard (Φ=0.062) or quinine sulfate in 1N H₂SO₄ as standard (Φ=0.546). Emission lifetime can be obtained by (1) measuring the emission intensity with an oscilloscope to obtain intensity of current (I(t)) as a function of time; (2) fitting the initial current and current measured at time tin formula (1) below to derive the τ value by fitting with equation I(t)=A+B×(e^−t/τ).

For example, the k_g′ of the disclosed gold (I) complexes can be obtained by (1) measuring the emission lifetime τ of the gold (I) complex in the presence of different concentrations of a quencher; (2) fitting the τ obtained at different concentrations of the quencher with formula (1) to derive the k_q value, where [Q] is the concentration of the quencher, τ₀ is the emission lifetime of the gold (I) complex in the absence of quencher; and (3) fitting the k_q value in formula (2) to obtain the kq′ values, taking k_D=1.0×10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (which is the diffusion-limited rate constant in acetonitrile).

τ₀/τ=1+kq[τ₀][Q]  formula (1)

(k_g′)⁻¹=k_q⁻¹−k_D⁻¹   formula (2)

Examples of quenchers suitable for measuring the k_g' of the disclosed gold (I) complexes as described above include, but are not limited to, pyridinium salts and neutral organic compounds, such as those described in Table 2 in the Examples below, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, benzyl alcohol, and 1-phenylethanol.

The E_c of the disclosed gold (I) complexes can be measured using a voltammetry technique, such as cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, or pulsed voltammetry (e.g. differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, etc.).

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can absorb light at a wavelength of up to 520 nm, up to 500 nm, up to 480 nm, up to 450 nm, up to 420 nm, in a range from about 250 nm to about 520 nm, from about 250 nm to about 500 nm, from about 250 nm to about 480 nm, from about 250 nm to about 450 nm, from about 250 nm to about 420 nm, from about 280 nm to about 520 nm, from about 280 nm to about 500 nm, from about 280 nm to about 480 nm, from about 280 nm to about 450 nm, from about 280 nm to about 420 nm, from about 300 nm to about 520 nm, from about 300 nm to about 500 nm, from about 300 nm to about 480 nm, from about 300 nm to about 450 nm, from about 300 nm to about 420 nm, from about 320 nm to about 520 nm, from about 320 nm to about 500 nm, from about 320 nm to about 480 nm, from about 320 nm to about 450 nm, from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, from about 350 nm to about 520 nm, from about 350 nm to about 500 nm, from about 350 nm to about 480 nm, from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 350 nm to about 420 nm, from about 360 nm to about 520 nm, from about 360 nm to about 500 nm, from about 360 nm to about 480 nm, from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 360 nm to about 420 nm, from about 380 nm to about 520 nm, from about 380 nm to about 500 nm, from about 380 nm to about 480 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 380 nm to about 420 nm, in solution or as powders, such as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complexes.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have an extinction coefficient (“c”) of at least 0.1×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 0.5×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 2.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 3.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 8.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, or at least 10.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, in solution at wavelengths >250 nm or as powders, such as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complexes as described above.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have a radiative decay rate (“k_r”) of at least 0.45×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 0.80×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 1.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 2.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 4.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 8.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 1.00×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 1.50×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 2.00×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 2.50×10⁵ s⁻¹, or at least 2.80×10⁵ s⁻¹, such as about 2.95×10⁵ s⁻¹, in solution or as powders, such as determined using the emission quantum yield and emission lifetime of the gold (I) complexes as described above.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have a diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constant (“k_g′”) of at least 3.5×10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁸M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 3.5×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, at least 8.0×10⁸M⁻¹ s⁻¹, or at least 1.0×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, such as in a range from about 3.5×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ to about 1.5×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, such as determined using a quencher as described above.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have a reduction potential of less than −1.46 V, less than −1.50 V, less than −1.55 V, or less than −1.60 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (“SCE”), such as less than −1.50 V vs SCE, determined by a suitable method, such as cyclic voltammetry.

In some forms, the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have an absorption wavelength, ε, k_r, k_q′, and/or E_c in any one of the above-described ranges. For example, the gold (I) complex can absorb light at a wavelength of up to 520 nm, up to 480 nm, up to 450 nm, in a range from about 280 nm to about 520 nm, from about 280 nm to about 480 nm, from about 280 nm to about 450 nm, from about 360 nm to about 520 nm, from about 360 nm to about 480 nm, from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 520 nm, from about 380 nm to about 480 nm, or from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex; has a c of at least 1.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex; a k_r of at least 2.50×10⁵ s⁻¹, in solution or as powders, as determined using the emission quantum yield and emission lifetime of the gold (I) complex; a k_q′ of at least 1.0×10⁸ s⁻¹, as determined using a quencher; and/or an E_c of less than −1.46 V, less than −1.50 V, less than −1.55 V, or less than −1.60 V versus SCE, as determined by cyclic voltammetry.

Exemplary solutions suitable for measuring the absorption wavelength, ε, k_r, k_q′, and/or E_c of the gold (I) complexes include those that contain an organic solvent. Exemplary organic solvents suitable for use to form the measurement solutions include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile, methylcyclopropane, dichloromethane and toluene, and a combination thereof. Optionally, the solutions for measuring the absorption wavelength, ε, k_r, k_q′, and/or E_c of the gold (I) complexes is degassed with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, argon, or helium, or a combination thereof, or via freeze-pump-thaw cycles.

III. Methods of Making

The gold (I) complexes and the ligands forming the gold (I) complexes described herein can be synthesized using methods known in the art of organic chemical synthesis. The target gold (I) complex can be synthesized by reacting a corresponding ligand, optionally more than one corresponding ligand, with a gold precursor in a suitable solvent. Exemplary solvents include organic solvents, such as methylene chloride. The corresponding ligand(s) can be prepared using methods known in the art, such as those described in the Examples. The reaction solution containing the one or more corresponding ligands and the gold precursor can be stirred at room temperature and optionally under an inert gas atmosphere, such as nitrogen atmosphere, for a suitable time to form a product containing the target gold (I) complex. The product containing the target gold (I) complex can be purified and optionally recrystallized to provide the target gold (I) complex. More specific reagents, reaction conditions, and gold (I) complexes formed are described in the Examples.

IV. Methods of Using

The gold (I) complexes disclosed herein are suitable for use in photoredox catalysis, such as photo-induced organic reactions, for example, homocoupling of organic halides (e.g. alkyl halides and aryl halides), alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, cyclization of indoles, reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, and/or C—H bonds cleavage. In particular, these gold (I) complexes can absorb in the near UV and/or visible light wavelength range, such as from about 360 nm to about 450 nm or from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, and thus can catalyze photoredox reactions under near-UV and/or visible light.

Generally, the methods of catalyzing an organic reaction using one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein include: (i) exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. Typically, the light for inducing the organic reaction has a wavelength in a range from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 370 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, from about 390 nm to about 450 nm, from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 405 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 445 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain a reactant, optionally more than one reactant, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), where at least one of the reactants is a substrate. The term “substrate” refers to the reactant in the reaction mixture being converted in a chemical reaction. Optionally, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine, imidazole, potassium carbonate, or sodium carbonate, or a combination thereof. Without being bound to any theories, the base in the reaction mixture may act as an electron donor for providing an electron to the gold complex(es) and/or for neutralizing the hydrogen halide generated during the reaction. For example, the base in the reaction mixture can (1) provide electrons to the gold(I) complexes upon light-excitation (i.e. reductive quenching); (2) provide electrons to any gold(II) complexes produced during the reaction to regenerate the gold(I) complexes; and/or (3) neutralize the hydrogen halide generated during the reaction.

Optionally, the methods disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the reactant, optionally more than one reactant, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to step (i).

Exemplary solvents suitable for forming the reaction mixture include those that contain an organic solvent. Exemplary organic solvents suitable for use to form the reaction mixture include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile and alcohols, or a combination thereof. For example, the organic solvent forming the reaction mixture is acetonitrile or a mixture of acetonitrile and an alcohol, such as a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol, a mixture of acetonitrile and ethanol, or a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol, and ethanol. When two or more solvents are used for forming the reaction mixture, the volume ratio between the solvents depend on the solubility of the specific reactants. For example, when two solvents are used for forming the reaction mixture, i.e. a first solvent and a second solvent, the volume ratio between the first and second solvents can be in a range from 1:100 to 100:1, from 1:50 to 50:1, or from 1:10 to 10:1, such as about 1:100, about 1:50, about 1:20, about 1:10, about 1:5, about 1:2, about 1:1, about 100:1, about 50:1, about 20:1, about 10:1, or about 5:1.

Generally, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture can be up to 10 mol %, up to 5 mol %, up to 2 mol %, at least 0.05 mol %, at least 0.1 mol %, in a range from about 0.05 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 2 mol %, or from about 0.5 mol % to about 1 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the substrate(s)]×100%.

The reaction conditions for performing the organic reaction, such as reaction temperature, period of time, gas environment, stirring, etc., depend on the specific type of reactions. For example, the organic reaction catalyzed by one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein is performed at room temperature (i.e. 20-22° C. at 1 atm) for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, from about 4 hours to about 14 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 12 hours, such as about 6 hours or about 12 hours, and optionally under an inert gas environment, such as under nitrogen, helium, or argon, and/or with stirring.

Typically, the product formed from the organic reaction catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield of at least 12%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, up to 99%, up to 98%, up to 95%, in a range from about 15% to about 99%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 99%, from about 50% to about 99%, from about 15% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 15% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 15% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 50% to about 80%. The yield of product can be calculated using the formula: product yield =(experimentally obtained no. of mole of the product)/(theoretical no. of mole of product)x100%. The experimentally obtained no. of mole of the product can be determined using known methods, such as using NMR (e.g. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, and/or ³¹P NMR) spectroscopy with an internal standard of known quantity.

The photocatalytic activity of the gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can be higher compared to known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]. For example, the product of a photo-induced organic reaction using the one or more gold (I) complexes described herein, such as those described above, has a yield that is higher than the yield of the same product of the same reaction under the same reaction conditions, using the same loading or a higher loading of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] compared to the loading of the gold (I) complex discosed herein. The term “under the same reaction conditions” means the reaction catalyzed by each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] is performed using the same amount of reactant(s), the same base (if any), the same solvent, under light at the same wavelength, at the same temperature, under the same pressure, in the same gas environment, the same humidity, and the same period of time, etc.

A. Catalyzing Homocoupling of Organic Halides

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes can be used for catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides. The method can include the step of exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. The light for inducing the homocoupling of organic halides can have a wavelength in a range from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain an organic halide, such as an alkyl halide or aryl halide, optionally more than one organic halide, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where the organic halide(s) is/are the substrate(s). In some forms, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, imidazole, potassium carbonate, or sodium carbonate, or a combination thereof.

Typically, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides can be in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, or from about 1 mol % to about 5 mol %, such as about 1 mol %, about 2 mol %, or about 5 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more organic halides]×100%.

Optionally, the methods for catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the one or more organic halide(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to reaction.

Exemplary solvents suitable for use in forming the reaction mixture containing the one or more organic halide(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, or N,N-dimethylformamide, or a mixture thereof, such as a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol. When a mixture of two solvents is used for forming the reaction mixture, such as a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol is used for forming the reaction mixture, the volume ratio between a first solvent and a second solvent, such as the volume ratio between acetonitrile and methanol, can be in a range from about 1:5 to 5:1, such as about 1:1.

The reaction for homocoupling of organic halides using the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein as photocatalyst can be performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 14 hours, such as about 12 hours.

1. Reactants

In some forms, the organic halide contained in the reaction mixture can have the structure of Formula III:

A₁′-L3-Z4   Formula III

where: (a) A₁′ can be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; (b) L3 can be a bond or

• • R₁₅ and R₁₆ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n16 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2; (c) Z4 can be a halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, or bromine; and (d) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

2. Products

In some forms, the product formed from the homocoupling of organic halide(s) of Formula III catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula IV:

A₁′-L3-L3H   Formula IV

where A₁′ and L3 can be as defined above for Formula III. In some forms, the homocouling of organic halide(s) of Formula III catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can form two products, where a first product has the structure of Formula IV (also referred herein as a homocoupling product) and a second product has the structure of Formula IV' (also referred herein as a hydrodehalogenation product):

A₁′-L3-H   Formula IV′

where A₁′ and L3 can be as defined above for Formula III. The ratio between the homocoupling product and hydrodehalogenation product depends on the specific reaction conditions.

In some forms of Formula III, Formula IV, and/or Formula IV′, A₁′ can be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl.

In some forms of Formula III, Formula IV, and/or Formula IV', the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formula III, Formula IV, and/or Formula IV′, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formula III, Formula IV, and/or Formula IV′, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formula III, Formula IV, and/or Formula IV′, A₁′ can be an unsubstituted alkyl or has a structure:

where: (a) R₁₇-R₂₀ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl; and (b) n17-n20 can be independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2.

In some forms, when L₃ of Formula III and/or IV is

R₁₅ and R₁₆ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl for Formulae III, IV, V, VI, and/or VII can be any one the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, and aryls described above for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc. For example, the alkyl for Formula III, V, VI, and/or VII can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic), such as a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀ , C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₇, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkyl group.

3. Product Yield

In some forms, the product formed from the homocoupling of organic halides catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield in a range from about 15% to about 99%, from about 30% to about 99%, from about 50% to about 99%, from about 30% to about 55%, or from about 70% to about 99%.

In some forms, the homocoupling of organic halides catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can form more than one product, such as two products (e.g., a homocoupling product of Formula IV and a hydrodehalogenation product of Formula IV'), and each product can have a yield in a range from about 15% to about 55% or from about 30% to about 55%.

In some forms, the product formed from the homocoupling of organic halides catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 2-time, at least 5-time, at least 10-time, at least 12-time, at least 20-time, at least 30-time, at least 40-time, at least 50-time, or at least 60-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture. The amount of each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture for catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides can be calculated by the formula: mol % of the [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]=[(no. of mole of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃])/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more organic halides)]×100%.

For example, the product of Formula IV formed from the homocoupling of an organic halide of Formula III catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 2-time, at least 5-time, at least 10-time, at least 12-time, at least 20-time, at least 30-time, at least 40-time, at least 50-time, or at least 60-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

Specific exemplary organic halides, products and their corresponding yields, and the yield of the same product formed from the same homocoupling of organic halides reaction using known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], are described in the Examples below.

B. Catalyzing Alkylation of 2-Phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes can be used for catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. The method can include the step of exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. The light for inducing the alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline can have a wavelength in a range from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 442 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and an organic halide, such as an alkyl halide or aryl halide, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where the 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline is the substrate. In some forms, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine, imidazole, potassium carbonate, or sodium carbonate, or a combination thereof.

Typically, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline can be in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 2 mol %, or from about 1 mol % to about 2 mol %, such as about 1 mol % or about 2 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the no. of mole of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline]×100%.

Optionally, the methods for catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, the one or more organic halide(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to reaction.

An exemplary solvent suitable for use in forming the reaction mixture containing 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, the one or more organic halide(s), and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the solvent is acetonitrile, methanol, or N,N-dimethylformamide, or a combination thereof.

The reaction for alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline using the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein as photocatalyst can be performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 14 hours, such as about 12 hours, and optionally under an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

1. Reactants

In some forms, the organic halide contained in the reaction mixture that can react with 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline can have a structure of Formula VIII:

A″-L4-Z5   Formula VIII

where: (a) A″ can be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; (b) L₄ can be a bond or

R₂₁ and R₂₂ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n22 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2; (c) Z5 can be a halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (d) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

2. Products

In some forms, the product formed from the alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline with organic halide(s) of Formula VIII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula IX:

where A″ and L₄ can be as defined above for Formula VIII.

In some forms of Formula VIII and/or Formula IX, A″ can be substituted or unsubstituted linear alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted branched alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl.

In some forms of Formula VIII and/or Formula IX, A″ can be an unsubstituted linear alkyl, an unsubstituted branched alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polycycloalkyl, or have the structure of Formula X, Formula XI, or Formula XII:

where: (a) R₂₃-R₂₆ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl; (b) n23-n26 can be independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1; (c) Y″ can be O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₈, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl; and (d) the substituents can be as defined for Formula VIII.

In some forms of Formulae VIII, IX, X, XI, and/or XII, the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae VIII, IX, X, XI, and/or XII, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae VIII, IX, X, XI, and/or XII, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formula VIII and/or IX, L4 can be a bond or

where R₂₁ and R₂₂ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl for Formulae VIII, IX, X, XI, and/or XII can be any one the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, and aryls described above for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc. For example, the alkyl for Formulae VIII, IX, X, XI, and/or XII, can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic), such as a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀, C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₇, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkyl group.

3. Product Yield

In some forms, the product formed from the alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield in a range from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 85%.

In some forms, the product formed from the alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.2-time, at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, at least 5-time, at least 6-time, at least 8-time, or at least 10-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture. The amount of each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture for catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline can be calculated by the formula: mol % of the [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]=[(no. of mole of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃])/(the no. of mole of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline)]×100%.

For example, the product of Formula IX formed from the alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline with the organic halide of Formula VIII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.2-time, at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, at least 5-time, at least 6-time, at least 8-time, or at least 10-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

Specific exemplary organic halides, products and their corresponding yields, and the yield of the same product formed from the same alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline reaction using known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], are described in the Examples below.

C. Catalyzing Cyclization of Indoles

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes can be used for catalyzing cyclization of indoles. The method can include the step of exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. The light for inducing the cyclization of indoles can have a wavelength in a range from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain an indole, optionally more than one indole, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where the indole(s) is/are the substrate(s). In some forms, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as sodium carbonate.

Typically, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cyclization of indoles can be in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol % or from about 0.5 mol % to about 1 mol %, such as about 0.5 mol % or about 1 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cyclization of indoles can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more indoles]×100%.

Optionally, the methods for catalyzing cyclization of indoles disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the one or more indole(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to reaction.

An exemplary solvent suitable for use in forming the reaction mixture containing the one or more indole(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the solvent is acetonitrile, methanol, or N,N-dimethylformamide, or a combination thereof.

The reaction for cyclization of indoles using the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein as photocatalyst can be performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 10 hours, from about 2 hours to about 8 hours, or from about 4 hours to about 8 hours, such as about 6 hours, and optionally under an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

1. Reactants

In some forms, the indole(s) contained in the reaction mixture can have the structure of Formula XIII:

where: (a) R₂₉ and R₃₀ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (b) n30 can be an integer between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, or between 2 and 4, such as 3 or 4; (c) R₃₁ and R₃₂ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof; (d) n31 and n32 can be independently an integer between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1; (e) Z6 can be a halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (f) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms, the indole(s) contained in the reaction mixture can have the structure of Formula XIV:

where: (a) n33 can be an integer between 0 and 8, between 0 and 6, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 2, such as 1 or 2; (b) each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ can be independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof; (c) Z6 can be a halogen; and (d) the substituents can be as defined in Formula XIII.

2. Products

In some forms, the product formed from the cyclization of indole(s) of Formula XIII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XV:

where R₂₉, R₃₂, n30-n32 can be as defined for Formula XIII

In some forms, the product formed from the cyclization of indole(s) of Formula XIII or Formula XIV catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XVI:

where n33, R₃₁, and R₃₂ can be as defined for Formula XIV.

In some forms of Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ can be independently unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl.

In some forms of Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ can be independently halogen,

and R₃₃ and R₃₄ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl for Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI can be any one the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, and aryls described above for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc. For example, the alkyl for Formulae XIII, XIV, XV, and/or XVI, can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic), such as a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀ , C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₇, C₁-C₆, C1-C₅, C₁-C₄, C1-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkyl group.

3. Product Yield

In some forms, the product formed from the cyclization of indoles catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield of at least 90%, at least 92%, in a range from about 90% to about 99%, from about 92% to about 98% or from about 94% to about 96%.

In some forms, the product formed from the cyclization of indoles catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.5-time, 2-time, 3-time, 4-time, 5-time, 6-time, 7-time, or at least 8-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture. The amount of each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cyclization of indoles can be calculated by the formula: mol % of the [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]=[(no. of mole of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃])/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more indoles)]×100%.

For example, the product of Formula XV or Formula XVI formed from the cyclization of indoles of Formula XIII or XIV catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.5-time, 2-time, 3-time, 4-time, 5-time, 6-time, 7-time, or at least 8-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

Specific exemplary indoles, products and their corresponding yields, and the yield of the same product formed from the same cyclization of indoles reaction using known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], are described in the Examples below.

D. Catalyzing Reductive Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes can be used for catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides. The method can include the step of exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. The light for inducing the reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides can have a wavelength in a range from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 442 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain an aryl halide, optionally more than one aryl halide, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where the aryl halide(s) is/are the substrate(s). In some forms, the reaction mixture can further contain a suitable base, such as Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, or iPr₂NEt, or a combination thereof.

Typically, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides can be in a range from about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, or from about 0.05 mol % to about 0.25 mol %, such as about 0.05 mol %, about 0.25 mol %, about 2 mol %, or about 5 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more aryl halides]×100%.

Optionally, the methods for catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the one or more aryl halides and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to reaction.

Exemplary solvents suitable for use in forming the reaction mixture containing the one or more aryl halide(s) and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and optionally the base include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile, methanol, or N,N-dimethylformamide, or a mixture thereof, such as a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol. When a mixture of two solvents is used for forming the reaction mixture, such as a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol is used for forming the reaction mixture, the volume ratio between a first solvent and a second solvent, such as the volume ratio between acetonitrile and methanol, can be in a range from about 1:5 to 5:1, such as about 1:1.

The reaction for reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides using the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein as photocatalyst can be performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 14 hours, such as about 12 hours, and optionally under an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

1. Reactants

In some forms, the aryl halide(s) contained in the reaction mixture can have the structure of Formula XVII:

A′″-Z7   Formula XVII

where: (a) A′″ can be substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl; (b) Z7 can be a halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (c) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof. 2. Products

In some forms, the product formed from the reductive dehalogenation of aryl halide(s) of Formula XVII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XVIII:

A′-H   Formula XVIII

where A′″ can be as defined above for Formula XVII.

In some forms of Formulae XVII and/or XVIII, A′″ can have the structure of Formula XIX, XX, or XXI:

where: (a) R₃₅-R₃₉ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof; (b) n35-n39 can be independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1; (c) R₄₀ and R₄₁ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (d) n40 can be an integer between 0 and 10, between 0 and 8, between 0 and 6, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, such as 1 or 2; (e) can be absent or a bond and L5 can be absent, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, an ether, a polyether, or a thioether; and (f) the substituents can be as defined for Formula XVII.

In some forms of Formulae XIX, XX, and/or XXI, R₃₅-R₃₉ can be independently unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted Ci-Cs alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl.

In some forms of Formula XXI, R₄₀ and R₄₁ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, or a carbonyl.

In some forms of Formulae XIX, XX, and/or XXI, each occurrence of can be absent or a bond and L₅ can be absent or an unsubstituted alkylene.

In some forms of Formulae XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and/or XXI, the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and/or XXI, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and/or XXI, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl for Formulae XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and/or XXI can be any one the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, and aryls described above for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc. For example, the alkyl for Formulae XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and/or XXI, can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic), such as a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀ , C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₇, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄-C₆, or C₄-C₅, polycyclic alkyl group.

3. Product Yield

In some forms, the product formed from the reductive dehalogenation of aryl halide(s) catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield in a range from about 25% to about 99%, from about 25% to about 70%, or from about 55% to about 99%.

In some forms, the product formed from the reductive dehalogenation of aryl halide(s) catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 2.5-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, at least 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Zu(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture. The amount of each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture for catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides can be calculated by the formula: mol % of the [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]=[(no. of mole of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃])/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more aryl halides)]×100%.

For example, the product of Formula XVIII formed from the reductive dehalogenation of aryl halide(s) of Formula XVII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 2.5-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, at least 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

Specific exemplary aryl halide(s), products and their corresponding yields, and the yield of the same product formed from the same reductive dehalogenation of aryl halide(s) reaction using known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], are described in the Examples below.

E. Catalyzing Cleavage of C—H Bonds

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes, such as the exemplary gold (I) complex 5a, can be used for catalyzing the cleavage of C—H bonds in organic compounds. The method can include the step of exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product. The light for inducing the cleavage of C—H bonds in the organic compound can have a wavelength in a range from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, from about 350 nm to about 420 nm, from about 380 nm to about 420 nm, or from about 400 nm to about 420 nm, such as about 405 nm.

The reaction mixture can contain an organic compound having at least one C—H bond, optionally more than one organic compound where each organic compound having at least one C—H bond, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where the organic compound(s) having at least one C—H bond is/are the substrate(s).

Typically, the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds can be in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, or from about 1 mol % to about 5 mol %, such as about 5 mol %. The total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds in organic compound(s) can be calculated using the formula: mol % of the gold complex(es)=[(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more gold complexes)/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more organic compounds having at least one C—H bond]×100%.

Optionally, the methods for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds disclosed herein further includes a step of mixing the one or more organic compounds and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in a suitable solvent to form the reaction mixture prior to reaction.

Exemplary solvents suitable for use in forming the reaction mixture containing the one or more organic compounds and the one or more gold (I) complex(es) include, but are not limited to, acetonitrile and alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, etc.), and a combination thereof, such as acetonitrile or isopropanol.

The reaction for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds using the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein as photocatalyst can be performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 14 hours, such as about 12 hours, and optionally under an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

In some forms, the one or more gold (I) complexes disclosed herein can have a turnover number of at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, or at least 40 for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds of organic compound(s). The turnover number of the gold (I) complexes can be calculated by dividing the no. of mole of the product by the sum of the nos. of moles of the gold complexes. For example, to determine the turnover number, an excess amount of substrate(s) is used, such as 1000 times or 10000 times relative to the amount of gold (I) complexes (i.e. the amount of the gold (I) complexes in the reaction mixture is about 0.1 mol % or 0.01mol %), and the reaction is conducted for a long period of time, such as at least 12 hours.

1. Reactants

In some forms, the organic compound(s) having at least one C—H bond contained in the reaction mixture can have the structure of Formula XXII, XXIII, or XXIV:

where: (a) R₄₂^-R₄₉ and R₅₄ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof, or two adjacent R groups form a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, and at least one of R₄₂ and R₄₃ and one of R₄₆ and R₄₇ are hydrogen; (b) n54 can be an integer between 0 and 4; (c) R₅₀-R₅₃ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (d) n50 and n52 can be independently an integer between 0 and 6; (e) Y′″ can be O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₆, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl; (1) R₅₅ and R₅₆ can be independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl; and (g) the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

2. Products

In some forms, the product formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of the organic compound of Formula XXII, XXIII, and XXIV catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XXV, XXVI, and XXVII or XXVII', respectively:

where R₄₂, R₄₄-R₄₆, R₄₈, R₄₉-R₅₆, n54, n50, n52, Y′″ can be as defined for Formulae XXII, XXIII, and XXIV.

In some forms, R₅₆ of the organic compounds of Formula XXIV can be hydrogen and the product formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of such organic compounds catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XXVII described above or Formula XXVII', or a combination thereof:

where R₅₅ can be as defined for Formula XXIV.

In some forms, R₅₆ of the organic compounds of Formula XXIV can be hydrogen and two products can be formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of such organic compounds catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein, where a first product can have the structure of Formula XXVII and a second product can have the structure of Formula XXVII′. The ratio between the first product and second product depends on the specific reaction conditions (e.g. the choice of solvent). In some forms, when R₅₆ is hydrogen, R₅₅ of Formulae XXIV, XXVII, and/or XXVII′ can be substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, such as a substituted or unsubstituted aryl.

In some forms, the product formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of the organic compound of Formula XXIII catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have the structure of Formula XXVIII or XXIX:

where (a) R₅₄, n54, Y′″ can be as defined above for Formula XXIII; (b) R₅₇-R₆₄ can be independent absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol; (c) each occurrence of can be independently absent or a bond; and (d) the substituents can be as defined above for Formula XXIII

In some forms of Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX, the substituents can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX, the substituents can be independently an unsubstituted alkyl, an unsubstituted alkenyl, an unsubstituted alkynyl, an unsubstituted heterocyclyl, an unsubstituted aryl, an unsubstituted heteroaryl, an unsubstituted polyaryl, an unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX, the substituents can be an unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl, or a combination thereof.

In some forms of Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX, R₄₂-R₄₉ and R₅₄ can be independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl for Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX can be any one the alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, and aryls described above for Formulae I, Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, and IIc. For example, the alkyl for Formulae XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVII′, XXVIII, and/or XXIX, can be a linear alkyl, a branched alkyl, or a cyclic alkyl (either monocyclic or polycyclic), such as a linear C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₃₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₃₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₂₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₂₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₁₀ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₁₀ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₆ alkyl, a branched C₄-C₆ alkyl, a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl, a linear C₁-C₄ alkyl, cyclic C₃-C₄ alkyl, such as a linear C₁-C₁₀, C₁-C₉, C₁-C₈, C₁-C₇, C₁-C₆, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₃, or C₁-C₂ alkyl group, a branched C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, a cyclic C₃-C₉, C₃-C₉, C₃-C₈, C₃-C₇, C₃-C₆, C₃-C₅, or C₃-C₄ alkyl group, or a C₄-C₃₀, C₄-C₂₅, C₄-C₂₀, C₄-C₁₈, C₄-C₁₆, C₄-C₁₅, C₄-C₁₄, C₄-C₁₃, C₄-C₁₂, C₄-C₁₀, C₄-C₉, C₄-C₈, C₄-C₇, C₄- C₆, or C₄-C₅ polycyclic alkyl group.

3. Product Yield

In some forms, the product formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of organic compound(s) catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield in a range from about 14% to about 80%, from about 35% to about 80%, or from about 14% to about 55%.

In some forms, the product formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of organic compound(s) catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture. The amount of each of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture for catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds in organic compound(s) can be calculated by the formula: mol % of the [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃]=[(no. of mole of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃])/(the sum of the nos. of moles of the one or more organic compounds having at least one C—H bond)]×100%.

For example, the product of Formula XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, or XXIX formed from the cleavage of C—H bonds of organic compound(s) of Formula XXII, XXIII, or XXIV catalyzed by the one or more gold (I) complex(es) disclosed herein can have a yield that is at least 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, where the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

Specific exemplary organic compounds containing C—H bonds for cleavage, products and their corresponding yields, and the yield of the same product formed from the same C—H bond cleavage reaction using known catalysts, such as [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], are described in the Examples below. The disclosed compounds, methods of using, and methods of making can be further understood through the following enumerated paragraphs.

1. A gold (I) complex having a structure:

wherein:

(a) m is 0, one positive charge, or two positive charges;

(b) n is an integer between 0 and 2;

(c) when present, each occurrence of A′ is an anion;

(d) X₁-X₄ are independently P or N;

(e) L₁ and L₂ are independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl;

(f) CY₁-CY₈ are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl;

(g) R₁-R₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(h) n1-n8 are independently an integer between zero and 10;

(i) each is independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, or a triple bond;

(j) Z1 and Z2 are independently absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate;

(k) Z3 is absent, a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and

(l) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an aroxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof,

(m) with the proviso that when CY₁-CY₈ are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, at least one of R₁-R₈ is not hydrogen.

2. The gold (I) complex of paragraph 1 having a structure:

wherein:

(a) each occurrence of A′ is an anion;

(b) X₁-X₄ are independently P or N;

(c) L₁ and L₂ are independently absent, a single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, oxygen, sulfur, amino, amido, ether, polyether, thioether, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, carbonyl, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl, or phosphonyl;

(d) CY₁-CY₈ are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl;

(e) R₁-R₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(f) n1-n8 are independently an integer between zero and 10;

(g) each is independently absent or a single bond;

(h) Z1 and Z2 are independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate;

(i) Z3 is a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate; and

(j) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an aroxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

3. The gold (I) complex of paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, wherein L₁ and L₂ are independently a single bond or

R₉ and R₁₀ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n9 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1.

4. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein X1-X4 are P.

5. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein CY₁-CY₈ are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl.

6. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-5 having a structure:

wherein:

(a) n10 and n12 are independently an integer between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, or 1;

(b) R₁-R₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(c) n1-n8 are independently an integer between zero and 5;

(d) each is independently absent or a single bond;

(e) Z1 and Z2 are independently a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), a triflate, a sulfonate, a dicyanoaurate, a cyano, a nitrate, a hydroxyl, an oxo, an oxalate, or a carboxylate;

(f) Z3 is a halide (fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), an oxygen, a sulfur, an oxalate, or a carboxylate;

(g) each occurrence of A′ is an anion; and

(h) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an aroxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

7. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-6, wherein R₁-R₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, oxo, or alkoxy.

8. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-7, wherein R₁-Rs are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted alkenyl, haloalkyl, aliphatic alcohol, —NR₇₀R₇₁, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl,

R₁₃ and R₁₄ are independently halogen, hydrogen, hydroxyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyl, unsubstituted alkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, n14 is an integer from 0 to 5, and R₇₀ and R₇₁ are independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, an amino, an alkoxyl, or a carbonyl.

9. The gold (I) complex of paragraph 8, wherein R₁₃ and R₁₄ are independently unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

10. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-9, wherein Z1-Z3 are independently a halide.

11. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-10, wherein each occurrence of A′ is hydride, oxide, fluoride, sulfide, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, thiosulfate, sulfite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, hypobromite, carbonate, chromate, hydrogen carbonate, dichromate, perchlorate, acetate, formate, cyanide, amide, cyanate, peroxide, thiocyanate, oxalate, hydroxide, or permanganate.

12. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-11 having a structure:

13. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-12 absorbing light at a wavelength of up to 520 nm, up to 500 nm, up to 480 nm, up to 450 nm, up to 420 nm, in a range from about 250 nm to about 520 nm, from about 250 nm to about 500 nm, from about 250 nm to about 480 nm, from about 250 nm to about 450 nm, from about 250 nm to about 420 nm, from about 280 nm to about 520 nm, from about 280 nm to about 500 nm, from about 280 nm to about 480 nm, from about 280 nm to about 450 nm, from about 280 nm to about 420 nm, from about 300 nm to about 520 nm, from about 300 nm to about 500 nm, from about 300 nm to about 480 nm, from about 300 nm to about 450 nm, from about 300 nm to about 420 nm, from about 320 nm to about 520 nm, from about 320 nm to about 500 nm, from about 320 nm to about 480 nm, from about 320 nm to about 450 nm, from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, from about 350 nm to about 520 nm, from about 350 nm to about 500 nm, from about 350 nm to about 480 nm, from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 350 nm to about 420 nm, from about 380 nm to about 520 nm, from about 380 nm to about 500 nm, from about 380 nm to about 480 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 380 nm to about 420 nm, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex.

14. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-13 having an extinction coefficient (“ε”) of at least 0.1×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 0.5×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 2.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 3.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, at least 8.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, or at least 10.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex.

15. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-14 having a radiative decay rate (“k_r”) of at least 0.45×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 0.80×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 1.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 2.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 4.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 8.00×10⁴ s⁻¹, at least 1.00×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 1.50×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 2.00×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 2.50×10⁵ s⁻¹, or at least 2.80×10⁵ s⁻¹, such as about 2.95×10⁵ s⁻¹, in solution or as powders, as determined using the emission quantum yield and emission lifetime of the gold (I) complex.

16. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-15 having a diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constant (“k_g”) of at least 3.5×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁵ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁶ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁶ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁷ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁷ s⁻¹, at least 1.0×10⁸ s⁻¹, at least 3.5×10⁸ s⁻¹, at least 5.0×10⁸ s⁻¹, at least 8.0×10⁸ s⁻¹, or at least 1.0×10⁹ s⁻¹, such as in a range from about 3.5×10⁸ s⁻¹ to about 1.5×10⁹ s⁻¹, as determined using a quencher.

17. The gold (I) complex of any one of paragraphs 1-16 having a reduction potential of less than −1.46 V, less than −1.50 V, less than −1.55 V, or less than −1.60 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (“SCE”), as determined by cyclic voltammetry.

18. A method of catalyzing an organic reaction using one or more gold (I) complex(es) of any one of paragraphs 1-17 comprising:

• • (i) exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product,
  • wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant, optionally more than one reactant, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), and
  • wherein the light has a wavelength in a range from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 370 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, from about 390 nm to about 450 nm, from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 405 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 445 nm.

19. The method of paragraph 18, wherein the solvent is acetonitrile or an alcohol, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of paragraph 18 or paragraph 19, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is up to 10 mol %, up to 5 mol %, up to 2 mol %, at least 0.05 mol %, at least 0.1 mol %, in a range from about 0.05 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.05 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 5 mol %, from about 0.5 mol % to about 2 mol %, or from about 0.5 mol % to about 1 mol %.

21. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-20, wherein the organic reaction is performed at room temperature for a period of time in a range from about 2 hours to about 20 hours, from about 4 hours to about 16 hours, from about 4 hours to about 14 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 12 hours, such as about 6 hours or about 12 hours.

22. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-21, wherein the product has a yield of at least 12%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, up to 99%, up to 98%, up to 95%, in a range from about 15% to about 99%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 99%, from about 50% to about 99%, from about 15% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 99%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 15% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 15% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 50% to about 80%.

23. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-22 catalyzing homocoupling of organic halides, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant having a structure of:

A₁′-L3-Z4   Formula III

wherein:

• • (a) A₁′ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;

(b) L₃ is a bond or

R₁₅ and R₁₆ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n16 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2;

(c) Z4 is a halogen; and

(d) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

24. The method of paragraph 23, wherein the product has a structure of:

A₁′-L3-L3-A₁′  Formula IV

wherein:

(a) A₁′ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;

(b) L₃ is a bond or

R₁₅ and R₁₆ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n16 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2; and

(c) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

25. The method of paragraph 23 or paragraph 24, wherein AC is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl.

26. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-25, wherein AC is an unsubstituted alkyl or has a structure:

wherein:

(a) R₁₇-R₂₀ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl; and

(b) n17-n20 are independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2.

27. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-26, wherein R₁₅ and R₁₆ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-Cs alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

28. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-27, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises a base selected from the group consisting of Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, imidazole, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine, and potassium carbonate, and a combination thereof.

29. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-28, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is in a range from about 1 mol % to about 5 mol %.

30. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-29, wherein the product has a yield in a range from about 15% to about 99% or from about 15% to about 95%.

31. The method of any one of paragraphs 23-30, wherein the product has a yield that is at least 2-time, at least 5-time, at least 10-time, at least 12-time, at least 20-time, at least 30-time, at least 40-time, at least 50-time, or at least 60-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, and wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

32. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-22 catalyzing alkylation of 2-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a first reactant and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant is 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and the second reactant has a structure of:

A″-L4-Z5   Formula VIII

wherein:

(a) A″ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;

(b) L4 is a bond or

R₂₁ and R₂₂ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n22 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2;

(c) Z5 is a halogen; and

(d) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

33. The method of paragraph 32, wherein the product has a structure of:

(a) A″ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkynyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;

(b) L₄ is a bond or

R₂₁ and R₂₂ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol, and n22 is an integer between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 4, between 1 and 3, between 1 and 2, such as 1 or 2; and

(c) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

34. The method of paragraph 32 or paragraph 33, wherein A″ is substituted or unsubstituted linear alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted branched alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl.

35. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-34, wherein A″ is an unsubstituted linear alkyl, an unsubstituted branched alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted polycycloalkyl, or has a structure:

wherein:

(a) R₂₃-R₂₆ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl;

(b) n23-n26 are independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1;

(c) Y″ is O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₈, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl; and

(d) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

36. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-35, wherein L₄ is a bond or

wherein R₂₁ and R₂₂ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

37. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-36, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises a base selected from the group consisting of 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine, Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, imidazole, potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate, and a combination thereof.

38. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-37, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 2 mol %, such as about 1 mol % or 2 mol %.

39. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-38, wherein the reaction is performed in an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

40. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-39, wherein the product has a yield in a range from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 85%.

41. The method of any one of paragraphs 32-40, wherein the product has a yield that is at least 1.2-time, at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, at least 5-time, at least 6-time, at least 8-time, or at least 10-time higher than the product yield of the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, and wherein the totalamount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

42. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-22 catalyzing cyclization of indoles, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant having a structure of:

wherein:

(a) R₂₉ and R₃₀ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(b) n30 is an integer between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, or between 2 and 4, such as 3 or 4;

(c) R₃₁ and R₃₂ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof;

(d) n31 and n32 are independently an integer between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1;

(e) Z6 is a halogen; and

(f) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

43. The method of paragraph 42, wherein the reactant having a structure of:

wherein:

(a) n33 is an integer between 0 and 8, between 0 and 6, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 2, such as 1 or 2;

(b) each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof;

(c) Z6 is a halogen; and

(d) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

44. The method of paragraph 42, wherein the product has a structure of:

wherein:

(a) R₂₉ and R₃₀ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(b) n30 is an integer between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, or between 2 and 4, such as 3 or 4;

(c) R₃₁ and R₃₂ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof;

(d) n31 and n32 are independently an integer between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1; and

(e) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof. 45. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-44, wherein the product has a structure of:

wherein:

(a) n33 is an integer between 0 and 8, between 0 and 6, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 2, such as 1 or 2;

(b) each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof; and

(c) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

46. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-45, wherein each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ is independently unsubstituted alkyl, a haloalkyl, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl.

47. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-46, wherein each occurrence of R₃₁ and R₃₂ is independently halogen,

and R₃₃ and R₃₄ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

48. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-47, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises a base selected from the group consisting of 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine, Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, imidazole, potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate, and a combination thereof.

49. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-48, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 0.5 mol %.

50. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-49, wherein the product has a yield in a range from about 90% to about 99% or from about 92% to about 98%.

51. The method of any one of paragraphs 42-50, wherein the product has a yield that is at least 1.5-time, 2-time, 3-time, 4-time, 5-time, 6-time, 7-time, or at least 8-time higher than the product yield of the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, and wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂,[Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

52. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-22 catalyzing reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant having a structure of:

A′″-Z7   Formula XVII

wherein:

(a) A′″ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl;

(b) Z7 is a halogen; and

(c) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

53. The method of paragraph 52, wherein the product has a structure of:

A′″-Z7   Formula XVIII

wherein:

(a) A′″ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl; and

(b) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

54. The method of paragraph 52 or paragraph 53, wherein A′″ has a structure:

wherein:

(a) R₃₅-R₃₉ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof;

(b) n35-n39 are independently an integer between 0 and 5, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, or 0 or 1;

(c) R₄₀ and R₄₁ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(d) n40 is an integer between 0 and 10, between 0 and 8, between 0 and 6, between 0 and 4, between 0 and 3, between 0 and 2, such as 1 or 2;

(e) - - - is absent or a bond and L₅ is absent, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, an ether, a polyether, or a thioether; and

(f) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof. 55. The method of paragraph 54, wherein R₃₅-R₃₉ are independently unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, a halogen, a cyano, or a carbonyl.

56. The method of paragraph 54 or paragraph 55, wherein R₄₀ and R₄₁ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl, an oxo, an alkoxyl, or a carbonyl.

57. The method of any one of paragraphs 54-56, wherein is absent or a bond and L₅ is absent or an unsubstituted alkylene.

58. The method of any one of paragraphs 52-57, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises a base selected from the group consisting of Et₃N, iPr₂NMe, iPr₂NEt, imidazole, potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate, and a combination thereof.

59. The method of any one of paragraphs 52-58, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is in a range from about 0.05 mol % to about 5 mol %.

60. The method of any one of paragraphs 52-59, wherein the product has a yield in a range from about 25% to about 99%, from about 25% to about 70%, or from about 55% to about 99%.

61. The method of any one of paragraphs 52-60, wherein the product has a yield that is at least 1.5-time, at least 2-time, at least 2.5-time, at least 3-time, at least 4-time, 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

62. The method of any one of paragraphs 18-22 catalyzing cleavage of C—H bonds, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant having a structure of:

wherein:

(a) R₄₂-R₄₉ and R₅₄ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof, or two adjacent R groups form a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, and at least one of R₄₂ and R₄₃ and one of R₄₆ and R₄₇ are hydrogen;

(b) n54 is an integer between 0 and 4;

(c) R₅₀-R₅₃ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(d) n50 and n52 are independently an integer between 0 and 6;

(e) Y′″ is O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₈, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl;

(f) R₅₅ and R₅₆ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl; and

(g) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

63. The method of paragraph 62, wherein the product has a structure of:

wherein:

(a) R₄₂, R₄₄-R₄₆, R₄₈, R₄₉, and R₅₄ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof, or two adjacent R groups form a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl;

(b) n54 is an integer between 0 and 4;

(c) R₅₀-R₅₃ are independently absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(d) n50 and n52 are independently an integer between 0 and 6;

(e) each occurrence of is independently absent or a bond;

(f) Y′″ is O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₈, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl;

(g) R₅₅ and R₅₆ are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl; and

(h) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof.

64. The method of paragraph 63, wherein the product has a structure:

wherein:

(a) R₅₄ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, carbonyl, alkoxyl, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a sulfonyl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof, or two adjacent R groups form a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl;

(b) n54 is an integer between 0 and 4;

(c) Y′″ is O, S, CR₂₇, or NR₂₈, and R₂₇ and R₂₈ are independently absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a halogen, an oxo, an amino, an alkoxyl, a cyano, a nitro, or a carbonyl;

(d) R₅₇-R₆₄ are independent absent, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, hydroxyl, oxo, amino, azido, alkoxy, cyano, isocyano, carbonyl, nitro, or thiol;

(e) each occurrence of is independently absent or a bond; and

(f) the substituents are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a phenoxy, an alkylthio, a phenylthio, an arylthio, a cyano, an isocyano, a nitro, an carboxyl, an amino, an amido, an oxo, a silyl, a sulfinyl, a sulfonyl, a sulfonic acid, a phosphonium, a phosphanyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphonyl, or a thiol, or a combination thereof. 65. The method of paragraph 62 or paragraph 63, wherein R₄₂-R₄₉ and R₅₄ are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, or unsubstituted C₁-C₃ alkyl.

66. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-65, wherein R₅₅ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, and R₅₆ is hydrogen. 67. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-66, wherein the reaction is performed in an inert gas environment, such as nitrogen.

68. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-67, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complex(es) in the reaction mixture is in a range from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %.

69. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-68, wherein the product has a yield in a range from about 14% to about 80%, from about 35% to about 80%, or from about 14% to about 55%.

70. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-69, wherein the reaction has a turnover number of at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, or at least 40.

71. The method of any one of paragraphs 62-70, wherein the product has a yield that is at least 5-time, at least 8-time, at least 10-time, at least 15-time, at least 20-time, or at least 25-time higher than the product yield of the same reaction using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, and/or the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], under the same reaction conditions, and wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂, or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in the reaction mixture.

The present invention will be further understood by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Exemplary Au(I) complexes and their properties

Materials and Methods

Materials

All manipulations of air-sensitive materials were carried out under an atmosphere of nitrogen by using modified Schlenk line. All chemicals, unless otherwise noted, were purchased from Alfa-Aesar and J&K Scientific Ltd. All solvents were distilled from appropriate drying agents under argon before use. [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂, [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](ClO₄)₂, 1-(4-bromobutyl)-1H-indole, 1-(3-bromopropyl)-1H-indole, 1-(2-bromobenzyl)-1H-indole, 1-(4-bromobutyl)-5-fluoro-1H-indole, tert-butyl indoline-1-carboxylate and 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline were synthesized according to the published procedures (Massai, et al., Dalton Trans. 2015, 44, 11067-11076; Che, et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 1990, 3215-3219; Greco and Schrock, Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 3850-3860; Kaldas, et al., Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 2864-2866; Hatzenbuhler, et al., J. Med. Chem. 2008, 51, 6980-7004; Jia, et al., Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 9339-9342; Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687).

Structure Characterization

The ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data were recorded on Bruker Mercury Plus 400 MHz and 500 MHz NMR spectrometers. Chemical shifts (δ) for ¹H and ¹³C are referenced to internal solvent resonances and reported relative to SiMe_4. Chemical shifts for ¹⁹F are reported relative to an external CFCl₃ standard. Chemical shifts for ³¹P are reported relative to an external 85% H₃PO₄ standard. Elemental analysis was carried out on an Elemental Vario EL analyzer. High resolution mass analysis is performed on Varian 7.0T Fourier-transform mass spectrometry with ESI resource. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer analysis is performed on Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020.

General Procedure for the Synthesis of Ar₂PCH₂PAr₂

Synthesis of ligands 2-4. In a 100 mL Schlenk under N₂, bis(dichlorophosphanyl)methane (1.0 g, 4.59 mmol in 10 mL of THF) was added slowly at 0° C. to the (aryl)magnesium bromide solution, which was synthesized from aryl bromides (20 mmol) and Mg (0.49 g, 19 mmol) in THF (40 mL). After stirring at room temperature for 12 h, the mixture was added to saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution. The organic phase was separated, and water phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuum. The obtained crude product was purified by flash column chromatography eluting with CH₂Cl₂/hexane to afford the desired Ar₂PCH₂PAr₂.

Synthesis of ligand 5. In a 100 mL Schlenk under N₂, nBuLi (2.5 M in n-hexane, 4.4 mL, 11 mmol) was added to a solution of 5′-bromo-4,4″-di-tert-butyl-1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl (4.21 g, 10 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at −78° C. over 10 min. The solution was maintained at this temperature for 2 h. Bis(dichlorophosphanyl)methane (500 mg, 2.3 mmol in 5 mL of THF) was added dropwise to the solution over 15 min at −78° C. The reaction mixture was further stirred at -78° C. for 1 h, and at room temperature for 12 h. Then, the mixture was added to saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution. The organic phase was separated, and water phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuum. The obtained crude product was purified by flash column chromatography eluting with CH₂Cl₂/hexane to afford white solid of ligand 5 (1.66 g, 50%).

Structure Characterization of Ar₂PCH₂PAr₂

Bis(bis(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphanyl)methane (2). White solid, 1.54 g (51%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.59 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 8H, Ar), 7.51-7.53 (m, 8H, Ar), 2.92 (s, 2H, PCH₂P). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 142.1 (t, J_C-P=4.7 Hz, Ar), 133.1 (t, J_C-P=10.5 Hz, Ar), 131.4 (q, J_C-F=32.7 Hz, Ar), 125.4 (m, Ar), 123. 8 (q, J_C-F=272.4 Hz, CF₃), 27.0 (t, J_C-P=24.4 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−21.8 (s). ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−63.0 (s). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₂₉H₁₉F₁₂P₂: 657.0765, found 657.0772.

Bis(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)methane (3). White solid, 1.25g (54%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.33-7.37 (m, 8H, Ar), 6.83 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 8H, Ar), 3.78 (s, 12H, OMe), 2.69 (s, 2H, PCH₂P). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 160.0 (s, Ar), 134.1 (t, J_C-P=11.0 Hz, Ar), 129.9 (s, Ar), 114.0 (t, J_C-P=4.0 Hz, Ar), 55.1 (s, OMe), 29.2 (t, J_C-P=21.5 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−25.8 (s). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₂₉H₃₁O₄P₂: 505.1692, found 505.1695.

Bis(bis(4-morpholinophenyl)phosphanyl)methane (4). White solid, 1.4 g (42%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.31-7.35 (m, 8H, Ar), 6.82 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 8H, Ar), 3.82 -3.85 (m, 18H, NCH₂CH₂O), 3.14-3.17 (m, 18H, NCH₂CH₂O), 2.66 (s, 2H, PCH₂P). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ151.2 (s, Ar), 133.8 (t, J_C-P=10.8 Hz, Ar), 128.8 (s, Ar), 115.0 (t, J_C-P=3.8 Hz, Ar), 66.8 (s, Ar NCH₂CH₂O), 48.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂O), 29.0 (t, J_C-P=21.5 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−26.7 (s). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₄₁H₅₁N₄O₄P₂: 725.3380, found 725.3384.

Ligand 5. White solid, 1.66 g (50%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.68-7.69 (m, 8H, Ar), 7.62 (s, 4H, Ar), 7.44 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 16H, Ar), 7.38 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 16H, Ar), 3.15 (s, 2H, PCH₂P), 1.34 (s, 72H, CMe₃). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ150.4 (s, Ar), 141.4 (t, J_C-P=3.6 Hz, Ar), 139.6 (t, J_C-P=3.7 Hz, Ar), 138.0 (s, Ar), 130.3 (t, J_C-P=10.6 Hz, Ar), 127.0 (s, Ar), 126.6 (s, Ar), 125.7 (s, Ar), 34.6 (s, CMe₃), 31.4 (s, CMe₃), 27.9 (t, J_C-P=24.0 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (202 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−19.1 (s). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₁₀₅H₁₁₉P2: 1441.8782, found 1441.8772.

Synthesis of gold complex 2a

(THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of bis(bis(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphanyl)methane (2) (131.3 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂ to give white solid of 2a (127 mg, 71%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ7.96 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 16H, Ar), 7.57 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 16H, Ar), 4.76 (s, 4H, PCH₂P). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ135.7 (s, Ar), 134.6 (q, J_C-F=32.9 Hz, Ar), 134.6 (s, Ar), 127.0 (s, Ar), 124.7 (q, J_C-F=272.8 Hz, CF₃), 32.8 (m, PCH₂P). ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ−63.7 (s). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ28.7 (s). Anal. Calcd for C₅₈H₃₆Au₂Cl₂F₂₄P₄: C, 39.19;H, 2.04. Found: C, 39.21;H, 2.05.

Synthesis of Gold Complex 2b

(THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of bis(bis(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphanyl)methane (2) (131.3 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, LiClO₄ (106.4 mg, 1 mmol) was added to the mixture in MeOH (20 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂ to give white solid of 2b (162 mg, 85%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, d⁶-DMSO): δ8.12 (br, 16H, Ar), 7.89 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 16H, Ar), 5.24 (s, 4H, PCH₂P). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, d⁶-DMSO): δ135.3 (s, Ar), 133.2 (q, J_C-F=32.7 Hz, Ar), 132.3 (m, Ar), 123.8 (q, J_C-F=273.0 Hz, CF₃), 25.8 (m, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, d⁶-DMSO): δ35.6 (s). ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, d⁶-DMSO): δ−62.0 (s). Anal. Calcd for C₅₈H₃₆Au₂Cl₂F₂₄O₈P₄: C, 36.58;H, 1.90. Found: C, 36.55;H, 1.92.

Synthesis of Gold Complex 3a

(THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of bis(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)methane (3) (100.8 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/MeOH to give white solid of 3a (118 mg, 80%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ7.76-7.79 (m, 16H, Ar), 6.87 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 16H, Ar), 4.42-4.56 (m, 4H, PCH₂P), 3.81 (s, 24H, OMe). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ163.80 (s, Ar), 136.8 (m, Ar), 120.5 (m, Ar), 116.1 (m, Ar), 56.80 (s, OMe), 32.4 (t, J=15.2 Hz, PCH₂P).³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ30.7 (s). Anal. Calcd for C₅₈H₆₀Au₂Cl₂O₈P₄: C, 47.27;H, 4.10. Found: C, 47.25;H, 4.12.

Synthesis of Gold Complex 3b

(THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of bis(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)methane (3) (100.8 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, LiClO₄ (106.4 mg, 1 mmol) was added to the mixture in MeOH (20 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/MeOH to give white solid of 3b (141 mg, 88%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ7.56-7.60 (m, 16H, Ar), 6.93 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 16H, Ar), 4.10-4.15 (m, 4H, PCH₂P), 3.83 (s, 24H, OMe). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ162.9 (s, Ar), 135.3 (m, Ar), 117.6 (m, Ar), 115.4 (m, Ar), 55.6 (s, OMe), 29.7 (t, J=14.1 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ33.1 (s). Anal. Calcd for C₅₈H₆₀Au₂Cl₂O₁₆P₄: C, 43.49;H, 3.78. Found: C, 43.52;H, 3.79.

Synthesis of Gold Complex 4a (THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of bis(bis(4-morpholinophenyl)phosphanyl)methane (4) (145.0 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, LiClO₄ (106.4 mg, 1 mmol) was added to the mixture in MeOH (20 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/MeOH to give light yellow solid of 4a (169 mg, 83%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ7.51 (s, 16H, Ar), 6.90 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 16H, Ar), 4.03 (s, 4 H, PCH₂P), 3.84 (s, 32H, NCH₂CH₂O), 3.24 (s, 32H, NCH₂CH₂O). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ31.4 (s). ¹³C NMR not recorded due to low solubility. Anal. Calcd for C₈₂H₁₀₀Au₂Cl₂N₈O₁₆P₄: C, 48.22;H, 4.94; N, 5.49. Found: C, 48.20;H, 4.96; N, 5.48.

Synthesis of Gold Complex 5a

(THT)AuCl (64.1 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of ligand 5 (288.4 mg, 0.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 12 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After removal of solvent in vacuo, LiClO₄ (106.4 mg, 1 mmol) was added to the mixture in MeOH (20 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After removal of solvent in vacuo, the product was recrystallized from CH₂Cl₂/MeOH to give white solid of 5a (229.5 mg, 66%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₂Cl): δ7.96 (br, 16H, Ar), 7.77 (br, 8H, Ar), 7.30 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 32H, Ar), 7.21 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 32H, Ar), 4.63-4.91 (m, 4H, PCH₂P), 1.18 (s, 144H, CMe₃). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ152.9 (s, Ar), 144.5 (m, Ar), 137.1 (s, Ar), 131.8 (s, Ar), 131.4 (m, Ar), 129.9 (m, Ar), 128.0 (s, Ar), 127.3 (s, Ar), 35.7 (s, CMe₃), 32.2 (s, CMe₃), 29.6 (t, _C-P=13.4 Hz, PCH₂P). ³¹P NMR (162 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ39.9 (s). Anal. Calcd for C₂₁₀H₂₃₆Au₂Cl₂O₈P₄: C, 72.54;H, 6.84. Found: C, 72.48;H, 6.81.

Photophysical Measurement

UV-vis absorption spectrum was recorded on a Hewlett-Packard 8453 diode array spectrophotometer. Steady-state emission spectra were obtained on a Horiba Fluorolog-3 spectrophotometer. Nanosecond time-resolved absorption difference spectra (ns-TA) were acquired with LP920-KS Laser Flash Photolysis spectrophotometer (Edinburgh Instrument Ltd.) equipped with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at room temperature. The emission lifetime measurements were performed on a Quanta Ray GCR 150-10 pulsed Nd:YAG laser system. Errors for λ values (±1 nm), τ(±10%), and Φ(±10%) were estimated. All solutions for photophysical measurements at room temperature were degassed by using a high-vacuum line in a two-compartment cell with five freeze-pump-thaw cycles. Emission quantum yields of solutions were measured using a solution of [Ru(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂ in CH₃CN (Φ=0.062) as the standard. Errors for (10%) are estimated.

The instrumental set-ups for femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) and the related spectral calibrations have been described previously (Kwok, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 11894-11905; Kwok, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 5131-5139; Chan, et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2011, 13, 16306-16313; Lu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 14120-14135). Briefly, all these measurements were performed based on a commercial Ti:Sapphire regenerative amplifier laser system (800 nm, 40 fs, 1 kHz, and 3.5 mJ/pulse). In the fs-TA, the samples were probed by a white light continuum pulse created from a rotating CaF₂ plate pumped by the 800 nm laser. For fs-TA, the temporal delay of probe to pump pulse was varied by a computer controlled optical delay line. The fs-TA, signals were collected by a monochromator and detected with a liquid nitrogen cooled CCD detector. The instrument response function (IRF) for the fs-TA is —100-200 fs varying slightly with the spectral wavelength. To eliminate the effect of rotational diffusion, the polarization direction of the pump laser was set at the magic angle in relative to that of probe for all the measurements. The measurements were done at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Electrochemical Measurement

Cyclic voltammetric measurements were performed with Princeton Applied Research electrochemical analyzers (PARSTATMC multichannel potentiostat for gold(I) complexes and potentiostat/galvanostat Model 273A for organic substrates). ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M) in DMF was used as a supporting electrolyte for the electrochemical measurements at room temperature. DMF used in electrochemical measurements was deaerated with argon gas. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was used as reference electrode for gold(I) complexes. A glassy carbon electrode and a platinum wire were used as working electrode and counter electrode, respectively.

X-ray Structural Determination

The X-ray date was collected on a Rigaku Saturn CCD diffractometer using graphite-monochromated Mo Kα radiation (λ=0.71073 Å) and Cu Kα radiation (λ=0.15417 Å). The structure was solved by direct methods (SHELXS-97) (Sheldrick, SHELXS-90/96, Program for Structure Solution, Acta Crystallogr. Sect A 1990, 46, 467) and refined by full-matrix least squares on F². All non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically and hydrogen atoms by a riding model (SHELXL-97) (Sheldrick, SHELXL 97, Program for Crystal structure Refinement, University of Goettingen:Geottingen, Germany, 1997). The crystal data and structural refinements details are listed in Table la. CCDC 1877689 (2a), CCDC 1877702 (3a) and CCDC 1906508 (4a) contain the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. This data can be obtained free of charge from The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via web site ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif.

Computational Details

DFT/TDDFT calculations were performed using the Gaussianl6 program package (Frisch, et al., Inc.: Wallingford Conn. 2010). The real vibrational frequencies of these optimized structures were computed to confirm that all the optimized structures are potential energy minima Hybrid functional PBEO with dispersion corrections in revision three (D3BJ) was employed (Adamo and Barone, J. Chem. Phys. 1999, 110, 6158-6170; Grimme, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2010, 132, 154104). The LANL₂DZ basis set and corresponding effective core potentials (ECPs) proposed by Hay and Wadt were employed for the valence atomic orbitals of Au (Wadt and Hay, J. Chem. Phys. 1985, 82, 284-298; Hay and Wadt, J. Chem. Phys. 1985, 82, 299-310). The 6-31G* basis set was used for other atoms (Frisch, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 1984, 80, 3265-3269; Radom, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1973, 95, 6531-6544). Solvent effects were taken into account using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) with CH₃CN as solvent (Cossi, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2002, 117, 43-54). Half-Width at Half-Maximum for the convolution of the absorption spectrum using a Gaussian distribution was set as 3000 cm* The orbital composition analysis was based on the natural atomic orbitals (NAOs) by the software of Multiwfn 3.8 (Lu and Chen, J. Comput. Chem. 2012, 33, 580-592).

The calculations of SO electronic transitions were performed by the TDDFT methods in the ADF2019 package (Te Velde, et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2001, 22, 931-967; Guerra, et al., Theor. Chem. Acc. 1998, 99, 391-403) at the level of ZORA (Zeroth Order Regular Approximation) (van Lenthe, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 1999, 110, 8943-8953; van Lenthe, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 1993, 99, 4597-4610; van Lenthe, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 1994, 101, 9783-9792)-PBEO/TZP for Pt and DZP for other atoms (Adamo and Barone, J. Chem. Phys. 1999, 110, 6158-6170; Van Lenthe and Baerends, J. Comput. Chem. 2003, 24, 1142-1156) at the optimized T₁ structure. Representations of molecular orbitals were drawn by ADF view. In a medium, the k_r should be corrected for the refractive index according to the Strickler-Berg relationship (Nozaki, J. Chin. Chem. Soc. 2006, 53, 101-112; Strickler and Berg, J. Chem. Phys. 1962, 37, 814-822). Therefore, the calculated radiative rate kr was multiplied by the square of the refractive index of acetonitrile (n =1.344). The calculated total radiative lifetime is an average over the three substates under the assumption of fast thermalization (Mori, et al., PCCP 2014, 16, 14523-14530):

${\tau }_{\mathrm{av}}=\frac{1}{k_{\mathrm{av}}}=\frac{3}{k_l+k_{\mathrm{II}}+k_{\mathrm{III}}}$

Results

Structural Analysis

Ligands 2-4 are designed to examine the electronic effect of diphosphine ligands on the triplet excited states of [Au₂(diphosphine)₂]²⁺ while ligand 5 is designed to create a hydrophobic environment that may facilitate the binding of substrate in the inner coordination sphere. Reaction of ligands 2 and 3 with [Au(tht)Cl] (tht =tetrahydrothiophene) produces complexes 2a and 3a, isolated as chloride salts in 71% and 80% yields, respectively. Complexes 2b, 3b, 4a, and 5a have been obtained in 66-88% yields by metathesis reaction with LiClO₄ in MeOH. These complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Diffraction-quality crystals of 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a have been obtained by slow evaporation of Et₂O/CH₂Cl₂ solutions at room temperature (FIGS. 1A-1D). The intramolecular Au—Au distances are 3.0112(10), 2.9567(7), 2.9805(5) and 2.9190(8) Å for 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a respectively, which are in the range conceived to have weak Au—Au interactions with that of 5a being the shortest among the series. The chloride ion in 2a and 3a interacts weakly with Au(I), as revealed by the long Au—Cl distances (2a: 2.726(3) Å, 3a: 3.047(3) and 2.848(2) Å). The Au—P distances are in the range of 2.283(3) to 2.3798(8) A being comparable to those found in other gold(I) phosphine complexes.

Photophysical Properties

Perchlorate has been used as counter-anion in the photophysical measurements of these gold(I) complexes in order to minimize Au(I)-anion binding interactions in the ground state and excited state. In CH₃CN, Ib, 2b and 3b exhibit strong absorptions at 270-320 nm (Table 1b, FIGS. 2A and 2B) with ε on the order of 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, which are assigned to the singlet [5dσ*→6pσ] and intraligand transitions. Upon photo-excitation, 2b and 3b display structureless emission band with peak maxima (λ_max) at 611 nm and 569 nm respectively, with emission quantum yields (Φ) and lifetimes (τ) ranging 0.11-0.15 and 23.8-28.1 μs, respectively. Complex 4a exhibits distinct, intense absorption band at 250-360 nm (ε=2.0-15.6×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) tailing to ˜420 nm (ε at 400 nm=1.5×10³ M⁻¹ cm ¹), which is ascribed to arise predominantly from spin-allowed ligand-to-metal-metal charge transfer (LMMCT) transition. It displays a structureless emission band with λ_max at 568 nm, Φ of 0.59 and τ of 2.0 μs. Complex 4a shows strong absorption extending to ˜420 nm (c at 400 nm=1.5×10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), which is red-shifted by 50 nm compared to the prototypical [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂]²⁺. The radiative decay rate constant, k_r, of complex 4a in degassed CH₃CN is estimated to be 2.95×10⁵ s⁻¹, which is the highest value among binuclear gold(I) complexes. The calculated k_r and zfs of the spin-orbit electronic T₁→S₀ transition of 4a at the optimized T₁ structure by the SO-TDDFT method in CH₃CN solution are shown in Table 1c. Complex 5a which has 24 phenyl groups exhibits a very intense absorption with λ_max at 261 nm (ε=219000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), which is attributed to an admixture of spin-allowed ligand-centred and [5dσ*→6pσ] transitions. Upon light-excitation, 5a displays a broad, structureless emission band with λ_max at 583 nm, Φ of 0.27 and τ of 5.8 μs.

TABLE 1a
Crystal data and summary of X-ray data collection for gold complexes 2a-4a.
	2a	3a	4a
formula	C58H36Au2Cl2F24P4	C60H64Au2Cl6O8P4	C84H100Au2Cl2N8O16P4
fw	1777.58	1643.62	2042.41
T (K)	100	100	100
space group	P-1	P 21/n	P 21/n
crystal system	Triclinic	monoclinic	monoclinic
a (Å)	13.471(2)	13.165(2)	16.639(8)
b (Å)	16.473(3)	22.249(3)	14.979(7)
c (Å)	17.531(3)	22.010(3)	23.555(10)
α (deg.)	101.501(3)	90	90
β (deg.)	106.817(3)	105.298(3)	96.621(10)
γ (deg.)	105.744(3)	90	90
V (Å3)	3417.1(11)	6218.6(17)	5831(5)
Z	2	4	2
dcalcd. (g/cm3)	1.728	1.756	1.248
F(000)	1704.0	3232.0	2056.0
GOF	0.955	1.015	1.027
R1 (I > 2σ (I))	0.0642	0.0505	0.1028
wR2 (all data)	0.1870	0.1224	0.3304

TABLE 1b
Photophysical and electrochemical data of 1b-3b, 4a, and
5a, and their estimated excited state redox potentials.
		Emission[a, b]			E(M+/M*);
	Absorption[a]	λmax/nm (τ/μs); Φ;	Epc; Epa [c]/	E0-0[d]/	E(M*/M−)[e]/
Complex	λmax/nm (ε/104 M−1cm−1)	kr/103 s−1	V vs SCE	eV	V vs SCE
1b	268 (1.93), 294 (2.79),	579 (32.3); 0.26; 8.0	−1.46; N.A.	2.78	−1.6[5b]; 1.43
	350 (0.05, tail)
2b	269 (2.2), 279 (1.93), 295	611 (28.1); 0.15; 5.3	−1.21; N.A.	2.69	−1.65; ND
	(1.92), 340 (0.16, tail)
3b	255 (8.75, sh), 277 (4.27,	569 (23.8); 0.11; 4.6	−1.52; N.A.	2.81	ND
	sh), 306 (2.49, sh), 350
	(0.15, tail)
4a	284 (15.6), 350 (3.2, sh),	568 (2.0); 0.59; 295	−1.63; 1.42	2.82	−1.81; 1.57
	400 (0.15, tail)
5a	261 (21.9), 340 (0.4, tail)	583 (5.8); 0.27; 46.6	−1.38; N.A.	2.76	ND
[a]In CH3CN (1b-3b: concentration ~2 × 10−5 M, 4a: concentration ~1 × 10−5 M, 5a: concentration ~5 × 10−6 M), “sh” stands for shoulder.
[b]λex = 320 nm, except for 4a using 380 nm.
[c] Peak values of irreversible redox waves in cyclic voltammograms of 1b-3b, 4a and 5a in DMF with 0.1M nBu4NPF6. Fc+/0 occurs at 0.46-0.48 V vs SCE.
[d]E0-0 values are estimated from their emission onset at room temperature.
[e]E(M+/M*) and E(M*/M−) are estimated by the plot of ln(kq′) versus E(Q) (M and M* stands for the Au(I) complex at ground state and triplet excited state, respectively. kq′ is the diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constants estimated by (kq′)−1 = kq−1 − kD−1 while taking kD = 1.0 × 1010 M−1s−1, E(Q) for the redox potential of the quenchers).
[g] ND stands for “not determined.”

TABLE 1c
Calculated kr and zfs of the spin-orbit electronic T1→S0 transition
of 4a at the optimized T1 structure by the SO-TDDFT method in CH3CN solution. TI, TII
and TIII represent three sublevels of the T1 state.
			Total	Exp.
	E/eV	kr/1 × 104 s−1	kr/1 × 104 s−1	kr/1 × 105 s−1	zfs/cm−1
TI	2.82605	8.31	9.48	2.95	4.92
TII	2.82651	0.79
TIII	2.82666	19.35

In the solid state at 77 K, complexes 1b-3b display a structureless emission band with λ_max at 382-449 nm and lifetime ranging 1.3-3.8 μs (FIGS. 2C-2G and Table 1d). An additional broad emission band centred at 617 nm with lifetime of 31.1 μs has been observed for 2b. For 4a, the broad, structureless emission profile is maintained in the solid state at 77 K and blue-shifted to 510 nm with lifetime of 22.7 μs. In glassy media (DMF:EtOH:MeOH=1:1:4(V/V/V)) at 77 K, 1b-3b and 4a display high-energy emission (−430-460 nm) with lifetime of 6.3-11.9 μs for 1b-3b and 44.7 μs for 4a (FIGS. 2C-2G and Table 1d). The high-energy emissions of 1b-3b at 77 K are assigned as emission from ³[5dσ*→6pσ] excited state. The broad and structureless emission in CH₃CN of 1b-3b at room temperature is assigned as complex-anion exciplex instead of complex-solvent exciplex as the emission λ_max of [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂(CF₃SO₃)₂] remains almost the same in different solvents (λ_max=570 nm in CH₃CN, CH₃OH, CH₂Cl₂). Their emission is unlikely to originate from ³[5dσ*→6pσ] excited state as this excited state should be high in energy (<450 nm). The marked difference in emission behavoir of these complexes in solution and that at 77 K is due to the high reactivitiy of ³[5dσ*→6pσ] excited states to form exciplex with surrounding solvent molecules or anions at room temperature which is hampered at 77 K. DFT calculations reveal that the emission of 4a arises from ³LMMCT excited state (vide infra).

TABLE 1d
The emission data of 1b-3b, 4a, and 5a in the solid state and glassy
media [DMF:EtOH:MeOH = 1:1:4(V/V/V)] at 77 K.
	Emission
	Solid state at 77 K	Glassy state at 77 K
Complex	λem [nm] (τ [μs])	λem [nm] (τ [μs])
1b	382 (1.3)	440 (7.3)
2b	449 (3.8), 617 (31.1)	460 (11.9)
3b	390 (2.4)	430 (6.3)
4a	510 (22.7)	442 (44.7)
5a	460 (268.2), 496 (223.3),	446 (3.0), 477 (7.9),
	521 (175.2)	506 (8.1)

The excited state dynamic of 4a has been probed by ultrafast time-resolved absorption difference spectroscopy. Nanosecond time-resolved absorption difference (ns-ta) spectrum of 4a shows absorption with λ_max at 388 and 520 nm as well as a broad absorption band at 650-800 nm (FIG. 3A). The decay lifetime of the absorption difference profile is 1.6 μs, comparable to the emission lifetime of 4a in CH₃CN. The femtosecond time-resolved absorption difference (fs-ta) spectra of 4a obtained immediately after laser pulse excitation at 266 nm have revealed an absorption difference λ_max at ˜390 nm and a broad band from 450-550 nm (FIG. 3B), which evolves with a time constant of 1.2 ps into another profile resembling 4a's ns-ta profile, showing efficient intersystem crossing for 4a.

Electrochemical and Excited State Redox Properties

Electrochemical studies by cyclic voltammetry have revealed that 1b shows an irreversible reduction wave at −1.46 V vs SCE. Modification of dppm has resulted in significant changes of reduction potentials; an anodic shift of E_pc is observed for 2b (−1.21 V vs SCE) having CF₃ groups while cathodic shift is found for 3b (−1.52 V vs SCE) and 4a (−1.63 V vs SCE) having electron-donating groups. Oxidation is not observed for 1b-3b even up to 1.4 V vs SCE, but an irreversible oxidation wave is observed for 4a with E_pa at 1.42 V vs SCE, which can be assigned as the oxidation of morpholine. Complex 5a shows an irreversible reduction wave with E_pc at −1.38 V vs SCE and no oxidation signal.

To estimate the excited state potential of these complexes, diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constants (k_q′) for selected quenchers have been obtained and tabulated in Table 2. Complex 4a displays large k_q′ (from 3.6×10⁸ to 1.5×10⁹ M⁻¹s⁻¹) being 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that of lb and 2-3 orders of magnitude larger than that of 2b toward a series of pyridinium salts with reduction potentials from −1.52 to −1.14 V vs SCE (Table 2). However, 4a shows a relatively small k_q′ (10⁵-10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) toward neutral organic quenchers with reduction potentials ranging from −2.31 to −1.81 V vs SCE. From the plot of ln(k_q′) vs E(Q), the potential [E(4a⁺/4a*)] is estimated as −1.81 V vs SCE and [E(4a*/4a⁻)] is estimated as 1.57 V vs SCE by using methoxybenzenes/amines as quenchers showing that 4a is a stronger photo-reductant than 1b ([E(1b⁺/1b*)]=−1.6 V vs SCE). Generally, if the potential E(M⁺/M*) is more negative than −1.5 V vs SCE, M is considered a strong photo-reductant.

TABLE 2
Rate constants for the quenching of the emission of complexes 1b, 2b and 4a by
various organic substrates in degassed acetonitrile at room temperature.
		1b	2b	4a
	Ered vs	Quenching rate constants kq/M−1 s−1[b] (diffusion-
Quenchers	SCE[a]	corrected quenching rate constants k′q/M−1 s−1[c])
	−2.31[d]			1.3 × 106 (1.3 × 106)
	−2.14[d]			8.0 × 105 (8.0 × 105)
	−2.03[d]			8.7 × 107 (8.7 × 107)
	−1.81[d]			2.1 × 107 (2.1 × 107)
	−1.68[d]			3.7 × 107 (3.7 × 107)
	−1.52[e]	4.9 × 106 (4.9 × 106)[e]	2.5 × 106 (2.5 × 106)	3.5 × 108 (3.6 × 108)
	−1.49[e]	9.6 × 106 (9.6 × 106)[e]	5.5 × 105 (5.5 × 105)	7.1 × 108 (7.7 × 108)
	−1.36[e]	1.4 × 108 (1.4 × 108)[e]	2.3 × 106 (2.3 × 106)	1.3 × 109 (1.5 × 109)
	−1.14[e]	9.5 × 108 (1.0 × 109)[e]	8.1 × 107 (8.2 × 107)	1.8 × 109 (2.2 × 109)
	−0.93[e]	2.9 × 109 (4.1 × 109)[e]	8.1 × 108 (8.8 × 108)	8.3 × 108 (9.0 × 108)
	−0.78[e]	4.5 × 109 (8.2 × 109)[e]	9.4 × 108 (1.0 × 109)	1.6 × 109 (1.9 × 109)
	−0.45[e]	6.1 × 109 (1.6 × 1010)[e]	9.0 × 108 (9.9 × 108)	2.6 × 109 (3.6 × 109)
Chlorobenzene	−2.77[f]			1.83 × 107
				(1.83 × 107)
	Eox vs	Quenching rate constants kq/M−1 s−1[b] (diffusion-
Quenchers	SCE[a]	corrected quenching rate constants k′q/M−1 s−1[c])
	0.78[g]	3.1 × 109 (4.5 × 109)		5.4 × 109  (1.2 × 1010)
iPr2NEt	0.36[h]	2.7 × 109		8.5 × 108
		(3.7 × 109)		(9.4 × 108)
	0.8[i]	2.5 × 109 (3.5 × 109)		3.1 × 109 (4.5 × 109)
	1.31[j]			3.3 × 107 (3.3 × 107)
	1.12[g]	5.5 × 106 (5.5 × 106)		1.7 × 108 (1.7 × 108)
	1.3[g]	6.5 × 105 (6.5 × 105)		2.4 × 106 (2.4 × 106)
	1.43[k]			1.5 × 107 (1.5 × 107)
	1.49[k]	1.3 × 105 (1.3 × 105)		3.0 × 106 (3.0 × 106)
	0.58[l]			3.43 × 109 (5.21 × 109)
[a]Ered refers to the potential for the redox reaction Q + e− → Q−, where Q represents the quencher; Eox refers to the potential for the redox reaction
Q+ + e− → Q.
[b]The values are obtained from Stern-Volmer plot: τ0/τ = 1 + kq[τ0][Q].
[c]The diffusion-corrected quenching rate constants are derived from k′q = 1.0 × 1010 · kq/(1.0 × 1010-kq).
[d]Che, et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 1990, 3215-3219.
[e]Li, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 14129-14133.
[f]Hoshi, et al., Electrochemistry 2004, 72, 852-854.
[g]Broglia, et al., J. Photoch. Photobio. A. 2005, 170, 261-265.
[h]Yang, et al., Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 3123-3136.
[i]Guilbault, et al., Anal. Chem. 1963, 35, 582-586.
[j]Liddle and Gardinier, J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 9794-9797.
[k]Ohkubo, et al., Chem. Sci. 2011, 2, 715-722.
[l]Chow, et al., Chem. Asian J. 2014, 9, 534-545.

DFT and TDDFT Calculations

DFT/TDDFT calculations have been performed on lb and 4a to investigate the nature of their excited states. The optimized structure of 4a is consistent with the X-ray crystal structures, with the calculated Au—Au distance being 3.025 Å. The resolved Au—Au distance of 4a is 2.9805(5) in the crystal structure.

TDDFT calculations have been performed on the optimized lb and 4a structures to reveal the nature of the lowest-energy absorption band of these dinuclear Au complexes. As shown in FIG. 4A, the calculated lowest-energy absorption band of 1a and 4a locates at 284 nm and 347 nm respectively, which is consistent with the experimental observations (λ_expt=294 nm, 350 nm for 1b and 4a respectively). The S₁ (284 nm) state of lb is from the HOMO→LUMO transition, where the HOMO is composed by the 5d-6s hybridized σ*(Au—Au) antibonding orbital and LUMO is mainly composed by the 6pσ(Au—Au) bonding orbital (FIG. 4B). Therefore, ¹MC (metal-centered) transition is assigned to the S₁ state of 1b. The S₁ transition of 4a is assigned to be from the π orbital (HOMO) of the morpholine substituents to the 6pσ(Au—Au) bonding orbital. Therefore, the intense lowest-energy absorption in 4a is attributed to be from the ¹LMMCT (ligand-to-metal-metal charge transfer) transition.

Unrestricted DFT calculations have been performed on the T₁ state of 1b and 4a, showing a Au—Au distance contraction from 3.076 Å at S₀ state to 2.681 Å at T₁ state for 1b (FIG. 5A), and from 3.025 Å at S₀ state to 2.894 Å at T₁ state for 4a (FIG. 5D), demonstrating the formation of a Au—Au bonding interaction at T₁ state. ³MC excited state is responsible for the T₁ state of 1b. Thus, electronic excitation from the 6s-5d hybridized σ(Au—Au) anti-bonding orbital (HOMO) to the 6pσ (Au—Au) bonding orbital (LUMO) would result in the formation of a net Au—Au bond. For 4a, ³LMMCT excited state involving electronic transition from the diphosphine ligand to the 6pσ(Au—Au) bonding orbital (LUMO) is responsible for the T₁ state of 4a. As the anti-bonding orbital of 4a at T₁ state remains occupied, the increase in Au—Au bond order is only one-half that of 1b at the excited state, which accounts for the relatively smaller Au—Au contraction for T₁ of 4a (0.131 Å) compared to that of 1a (0.395 Å) based on TDDFT calculations. Two exciplex structures of 1b-ClO₄ and 1b-[ClO₄]₂ at T₁ state have been identified and optimized, with binding energy of −21.8 and −33.7 kcal/mol respectively. The emission of T₁ state occurs from the HOMO→LUMO transition for 1b, 1b-ClO₄ and 1b-[ClO₄]₂, which is calculated to be 3.18, 2.37 and 2.19 eV respectively. Therefore, the experimentally observed emission peak of 1b at 579 nm (2.14 eV in Table 1b) in CH₃CN is assigned to be from the 1b-[ClO₄]₂ exciplex at the T₁ state. In the optimized 1b-[ClO₄]₂ exciplex structure, the calculated Au—ClO₄ distance is 2.43 Å and 2.53 Å as shown in FIG. 5B. The ClO₄⁻¹ counter-anion forms an anti-bonding σ* interaction with the Au atom in the HOMO, lifting the orbital energy and decreasing the HOMO-LUMO gap (FIG. 5B and FIG. 5E). Therefore, in 1b-ClO₄ and 1b-[ClO₄]₂, a red-shifted emission energy has been calculated and observed compared to that in 1b. Similarly, two exciplex structures of 4a-ClO₄ and 4a-[ClO₄]₂ at T₁ state have been optimized, with the binding energy of −10.1 and −20.6 kcal/mol respectively. The calculated Au—ClO₄ distance in 4a-[ClO₄]₂ is 3.29 Å and 4.17 Å as shown in FIG. 5C, demonstrating weaker Au—ClO₄ binding interaction than that in the 1b-[ClO₄]₂ exciplex. The calculated emission energy of 4a, 4a-ClO₄ and 4a-[ClO₄]₂ is 2.67, 2.62 and 2.5 eV respectively. Therefore, the experimentally observed emission peak maximum of 4a at 568 nm (2.18 eV in Table 1b) is assigned to be from the 4a-[ClO₄]₂ exciplex at the T₁ state.

Spin-orbit (SO) TDDFT calculations have been performed on 4a to obtain the kr of the phosphorescence process. As shown in Table 2, the calculated k_r of 4a is 1.27×10⁵ s⁻¹, which agrees with the measured experimental value of k_r of 2.95×10⁵ s⁻¹ of 4a in CH₃CN. The spin-orbit coupling matrix element (SOCME) has been calculated and two large SOCME are observed between the coupling of S₁₀ and T₁ (217.76 cm⁻¹), S₈ and T₁ (149.44 cm⁻¹). The S₁₀ and S₈ state of 4a are mainly from the HOMO→L+2 transition and HOMO→L+1 transition respectively, and the T₁ state occurs mainly from the HOMO→LUMO transition. The LUMO, L+1 and L+2 orbitals have moderate contributions from different Au-6p orbitals (6p_x, 6p_y or 6_N). Therefore, phosphorescence of 4a is ascribed to the involvement of Au-6p orbitals in the LMMCT transitions.

Example 2. The Au(I) Complexes Catalyze Light-Induced Organic Reactions Under Near-UV and/or Visible Light

Materials and Methods

Homocoupling of (2-bromoethyl)benzene and alkyl bromides

Exemplary reaction schemes for producing 6, 7, and 8:

Other reactants R′-Br:

Reactants R′-Cl:

Products R′-R′ and their yields:

6: 53%[b,c]
CH3(CH2)6CH2—CH2(CH2)6CH3
7: 34%[b,d]
8: 32%[b,d]
9: R = H, 95% (92%[e])
10: R = Me, 98% (95%[e], 92%[b],[f], 83%[g])
11: R = OMe, 53% (50%[e])
12: R = F, 85% (81%[e])
14: R = CF3, 80% (75%[e])
15: R = CN, 80% (77%[e])
16: R = COOMe, 98% (94%[e])
17: 75% (71%[e])
18: 20% (17%[e])
19: 89% (87%[e])
20: 52% (50%[e])
[a]Alkyl bromide (1 mmol), 4a (0.01 mmol), iPr2NMe (2 mmol), CH3CN (1 mL) and MeOH (1 mL) under N2 and 405 nm LED (12 W) irradiation for 12 h at room temperature.
[b]Product yield based on NMR analysis and GC-MS analysis using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as an internal standard.
[c]4a (0.02 mmol).
[d]4a (0.05 mmol).
[e]Isolated yield.
[f]4-methylbenzyl chloride as a substrate.
[g]Under 442 nm LED (12 W)

To a round bottom flask, alkyl bromides (1 mmol), gold complex 4a (1-5 mol %, 0.01 mmol), iPr2NMe (3 mmol), CH₃CN (1 mL) and MeOH (1 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for 12 h at room temperature under N₂ and 405 nm light. After removal of the volatile materials under reduced pressure, the crude product was purified by chromatograph on silica gel (dichloromethane/n-hexane). A part of product conversion was determined by GC-MS analysis using internal standards.

1,4-Diphenylbutane (5′). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 72 mg (68%) of 5′ as colorless oil (Peng, et al., J. Org. Chem. 2013, 78, 10960-10967). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.25-7.28 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.17 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 6H, Ar), 2.63 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 4H, ArCH₂CH₂), 1.65-1.68 (m, 4H, ArCH₂CH₂). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ142.6 (s, Ar), 128.4 (s, Ar), 128.2 (s, Ar), 125.6 (s, Ar), 35.8 (s, ArCH₂CH₂), 31.1 (s, ArCH₂CH₂).

1,2-Diphenylethane (9). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 84 mg (92%) of 9 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.28 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 4H, Ar), 7.18-7.21 (m, 6H, Ar), 2.92 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ141.8 (s, Ar), 128.4 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 125.9 (s, Ar), 37.9 (s, ArCH₂).

1,2-Di-p-tolylethane (10). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 100 mg (95%) of 10 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.09 (s, 8H, Ar), 2.86 (s, 4H, ArCH₂), 2.32 (s, 6H, Me). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ138.8 (s, Ar), 135.3 (s, Ar), 129.0 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 37.6 (s, ArCH₂), 21.0 (s, Me).

1,2-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethane (11). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 61 mg (50%) of 11 as white solid (Liu, et al., Chem. Asian J. 2017, 12, 673-678). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.08 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 4H, Ar), 6.82 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 4H, Ar), 3.79 (s, 6H, OMe), 2.82 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 157.8 (s, Ar), 134.0 (s, Ar), 129.4 (s, Ar), 113.7 (s, Ar), 55.2 (s, OMe), 37.3 (s, ArCH₂).

1,2-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethane (12). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 88 mg (81%) of 12 as white solid (Park, et al.,Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 17790-17799). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.05-7.08 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.94 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 4H, Ar), 2.86 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ161.4 (d, J_C-F=243.6 Hz, Ar), 136.9 (d, J_C-F=3.1 Hz, Ar), 129.8 (d, J_C-F=7.8 Hz, Ar), 115.1 (d, J_C-F=21.1 Hz, Ar), 37.1 (s, ArCH₂). ¹⁹F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−117.5 (s).

1,2-Bis(4-(tritluoromethyDphenyDethane (14). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 119 mg (75%) of 14 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.53 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 4H, Ar), 7.24 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 4H, Ar), 2.99 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ145.0 (s, Ar), 128.8 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 125.4 (q, J_C-F=3.8 Hz, Ar), 124.4 (q, J_C-F=315.2 Hz, CF₃), 37.2 (s, ArCH₂). ¹⁹F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−62.4 (s).

4,4′-(Ethane-1,2-diyDdibenzonitrile (15). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 89 mg (77%) of 15 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.57 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 4H, Ar), 7.22 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 4H, Ar), 3.00 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ146.0 (s, Ar), 132.3 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 118.8 (s, CN), 110.3 (s, Ar), 37.2 (s, ArCH₂).

Dimethyl 4,4′-(ethane-1,2-diyDdibenzoate (16). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 140 mg (94%) of 16 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.93 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 4H, Ar), 7.19 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 4H, Ar), 3.90 (s, 6H, COOMe), 2.99 (s, 4H, ArCH₂).¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ167.0 (s, COOMe), 146.5 (s, Ar), 129.7 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 128.1 (s, Ar), 52.0 (s, COOMe), 37.4 (s, ArCH₂).

1,2-Di(naphthalen-2-yl)ethane (17). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 100 mg (71%) of 17 as white solid (Cao and Shi, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 6546-6549). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.76-7.82 (m, 6H, Ar), 7.65 (s, 2H, Ar), 7.40-7.46 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.36 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H, Ar), 3.18 (s, 4H, ArCH₂). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ139.3 (s, Ar), 133.6 (s, Ar), 132.0 (s, Ar), 127.9 (s, Ar), 127.6 (s, Ar), 127.5 (s, Ar), 127.3 (s, Ar), 126.5 (s, Ar), 125.9 (s, Ar), 125.2 (s, Ar), 38.0 (s, ArCH₂).

1,2-Bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)ethane (18). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 18 mg (17%) of 18 as white solid (Ito, et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 1986, 303, 301-308). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.45 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.96 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.93 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H, Ar), 3.17 (s, 4H, ArCH₂), 2.55 (s, 6H, Me). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ160.5 (s, Ar), 157.8 (s, Ar), 136.6 (s, Ar), 120.7 (s, Ar), 119.8 (s, Ar), 38.5 (s, ArCH₂), 24.4 (s, Me).

1,2-Di-o-tolylethane (19). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 91 mg (87%) of 19 as white solid (Teo, et al., Dalton Trans. 2016, 45, 7312-7319). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.11-7.20 (m, 8H, Ar), 2.85 (s, 4H, ArCH₂), 2.32 (s, 6H, Me). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ140.2 (s, Ar), 135.9 (s, Ar), 130.2 (s, Ar), 128.8 (s, Ar), 126.1 (s, Ar), 126.0 (s, Ar), 34.1 (s, ArCH₂), 19.3 (s, Me).

Butane-2,3-diyldibenzene (20). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 53 mg (50%) of 20 as white solid (Fallon, et al., New J. Chem. 2016, 40, 9912-9916). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.31 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 4H, Ar), 7.20-7.23 (m, 6H, Ar), 2.80 (br, 2H, ArCHMe), 1.02 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 6H, ArCHMe). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ146.5 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 127.6 (s, Ar), 126.0 (s, Ar), 47.2 (s, ArCHMe), 21.0 (s, ArCHMe).

Alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

To a round bottom flask, 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (0.5 mmol), alkyl bromides (0.5 mmol), gold complex 4a (1-2 mol %), 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (1.2 mmol) and CH₃CN (2 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for 12 h at room temperature under N₂ and 405 nm and 442 nm light. After removal of the volatile materials under reduced pressure, the crude product was purified by chromatograph on silica gel (dichloromethane/n-hexane).

1-(4-Methylbenzyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (22). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 130 mg (83%) of 22 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.21-7.25 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.11-7.17 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.01-7.06 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.90 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.85 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.70-6.75 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.87 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.50-3.67 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.19-3.23 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.93-2.98 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH), 2.72-2.78 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.30 (s, 3H, Me). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.3 (s, Ar), 137.7 (s, Ar), 135.7 (s, Ar), 135.7 (s, Ar), 135.1 (s, Ar), 129.6 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 128.8 (s, Ar), 128.2 (s, Ar), 127.7 (s, Ar), 126.5 (s, Ar), 125.4 (s, Ar), 117.0 (s, Ar), 113.5 (s, Ar), 61.5 (s, ArCHN), 42.1 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 41.9 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 27.5 (s, ArCH₂CH), 21.1 (s, Me).

4-((2-Phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)methyl)benzonitrile (23). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 104 mg (64%) of 23 as light yellow oil (Wang, et al., Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 3982-3985). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.50 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H, Ar), 7.07-7.24 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.75-6.82 (m, 4H, Ar), 4.92 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.51-3.65 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.26-3.30 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH), 3.07-3.12 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH), 2.95-3.02 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.64-2.71 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.1 (s, Ar), 144.5 (s, Ar), 136.8 (s, Ar), 135.1 (s, Ar), 131.9 (s, Ar), 130.5 (s, Ar), 129.3 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 127.3 (s, Ar), 126.9 (s, Ar), 125.8 (s, Ar), 119.1 (s, CN), 117.9 (s, Ar), 114.0 (s, Ar), 110.1 (s, Ar), 61.0 (s, ArCHN), 42.5 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 42.1 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 27.3 (s, ArCH₂CH).

1-(Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (24).

Performed according to the general procedure to afford 143 mg (82%) of 24 as light yellow oil. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.69-7.80 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.41-7.44 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.23-7.26 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.14-7.16 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.98-7.02 (m, 1H, Ar), 6.90 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.70-6.76 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.99-5.02 (m, 1H, ArCHN), 3.52-3.70 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.39-3.44 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH), 3.13-3.19 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH), 2.95-3.03 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.73-2.80 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.3 (s, Ar), 137.5 (s, Ar), 136.4 (s, Ar), 135.0 (s, Ar), 133.4 (s, Ar), 132.1 (s, Ar), 129.3 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 128.2 (s, Ar), 127.7 (s, Ar), 127.6 (s, Ar), 127.5 (s, Ar), 126.6 (s, Ar), 125.8 (s, Ar), 125.5 (s, Ar), 125.3 (s, Ar), 117.3 (s, Ar), 113.8 (s, Ar), 61.4 (s, ArCHN), 42.5 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 42.2 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 27.5 (s, ArCH₂CH). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M +M]⁺ calculated for C26H24N: 350.1903, found 350.1901.

1-Phenethyl-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (25). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 64 mg (41%) of 25 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.26-7.28 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.11-7.23 (m, 10H, Ar), 6.83 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.72 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.68 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.63-3.66 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.99-3.07 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.70-2.86 (m, 3H, ArCH₂CH₂N+PhCH₂CH₂), 2.23-2.33 (m, 1H, PhCH₂CH₂), 2.01-2.10 (m, 1H, PhCH₂CH₂). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 149.7 (s, Ar), 141.9 (s, Ar), 138.8 (s, Ar), 135.0 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 128.6 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 127.3 (s, Ar), 126.5 (s, Ar), 125.8 (s, Ar), 117.3 (s, Ar), 114.2 (s, Ar), 58.4 (s, ArCHN), 41.8 (s, PhCH₂CH₂), 38.3 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 32.9 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 26.8 (s, PhCH₂CH₂).

1-Butyl-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (26). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 62 mg (47%) of 26 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.21-7.23 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.09-7.17 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.86 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.71 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.63 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.56-3.66 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.82-3.06 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.91-1.99 (m, 1H, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.66-1.73 (m, 1H, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.31-1.50 (m, 4H, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 0.89 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.6 (s, Ar), 139.2 (s, Ar), 135.0 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 127.3 (s, Ar), 126.3 (s, Ar), 125.7 (s, Ar), 116.8 (s, Ar), 113.6 (s, Ar), 59.2 (s, ArCHN), 41.8 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 36.5 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 29.1 (s, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 27.0 (s, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 22.8 (s, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 14.1 (s, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃).

1-Cyclohexyl-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (27). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 128 mg (88%) of 27 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.06-7.23 (m, 6H, Ar), 6.85 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.67 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.42 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.69-3.75 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.43-3.49 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.96-3.03 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.61-1.98 (m, 6H, Cy), 1.03-1.16 (m, 5H, Cy). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.9 (s, Ar), 137.8 (s, Ar), 135.3 (s, Ar), 129.1 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 128.1 (s, Ar), 126.5 (s, Ar), 125.1 (s, Ar), 116.2 (s, Ar), 112.9 (s, Ar), 63.7 (s, ArCHN), 44.1 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 42.9 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 30.9 (s, Cy), 30.6 (s, Cy), 27.4 (s, Cy), 26.6 (s, Cy), 26.4 (s, Cy), 26.4 (s, Cy).

1-(Tert-butyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (28). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 76 mg (57%) of 28 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.11-7.22 (m, 6H, Ar), 6.92 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.67 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.67 (s, 1 H, ArCHN), 3.84-3.90 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.50-3.57 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.94-3.10 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.02 (s, 9H, CMe₃). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ151.1 (s, Ar), 137.0 (s, Ar), 135.4 (s, Ar), 128.9 (s, Ar), 128.7 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 126.5 (s, Ar), 125.0 (s, Ar), 116.6 (s, Ar), 114.1 (s, Ar), 66.0 (s, ArCHN), 44.0 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 39.2 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 29.2 (s, CMe₃), 27.3 (s, CMe₃).

1-(Adamantan-1-yl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (29). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 151 mg (88%) of 29 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.12-7.23 (m, 6H, Ar), 6.94 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.66 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.55 (s, 1H, ArCHN), 3.88-3.94 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.43-3.50 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 3.13-3.21 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.92-2.99 (m, 1H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.55-1.93 (m, 15H, 1-adamantanyl). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ151.2 (s, Ar), 136.2 (s, Ar), 135.5 (s, Ar), 129.1 (s, Ar), 128.9 (s, Ar), 128.0 (s, Ar), 126.6 (s, Ar), 125.0 (s, Ar), 116.2 (s, Ar), 113.7 (s, Ar), 66.9 (s, ArCHN), 45.1 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 41.3 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 41.0 (s, 1-adamantanyl), 36.8 (s, 1-adamantanyl), 28.8 (s, 1-adamantanyl), 27.8 (s, 1-adamantanyl).

2-Phenyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (30).

Performed according to the general procedure to afford 128 mg (87%) of 30 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.12-7.23 (m, 5H, Ar), 7.06 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.87 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.70 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.43 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.95-4.01 (m, 2H, OCH₂CH₂CH), 3.50-3.75 (m, 2H, OCH₂CH₂CH), 3.21-3.34 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.94-3.06 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.93-2.01 (m, 1H, OCH₂CH₂CH), 1.82-1.87 (m, 1H, OCH₂CH₂CH), 1.44-1.55 (m, 3H, OCH₂CH₂CH). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ149.9 (s, Ar), 136.8 (s, Ar), 135.1 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 128.5 (s, Ar), 128.2 (s, Ar), 126.9 (s, Ar), 125.3 (s, Ar), 116.9 (s, Ar), 113.4 (s, Ar), 68.3 (s, ArCHN), 67.9 (s, OCH₂CH₂CH), 63.2 (s, OCH₂CH₂CH), 42.8 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 41.4 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 30.9 (s, OCH₂CH₂CH), 30.8 (s, OCH₂CH₂CH), 27.0 (s, OCH₂CH₂CH).

Tert-butyl 4-(2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (31). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 147 mg (75%) of 31 as light yellow oil (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.12-7.24 (m, 5H, Ar), 7.05 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.85 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.70 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.43 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, ArCHN), 3.75-4.31 (m, 2H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 3.70-3.75 (m, 1H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 3.48-3.53 (m, 1H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 2.95-3.02 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 2.33-2.77 (m, 2H, ArCH₂CH₂N), 1.84-1.93 (m, 2H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 1.59-1.64 (m, 1H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 1.44 (s, 9H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 1.24-1.36 (m, 2H, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ154.7 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 149.8 (s, Ar), 136.9 (s, Ar), 135.2 (s, Ar), 129.2 (s, Ar), 128.4 (s, Ar), 128.3 (s, Ar), 126.9 (s, Ar), 125.4 (s, Ar), 116.9 (s, Ar), 113.3 (s, Ar), 79.3 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 63.0 (s, ArCHN), 42.9 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 42.6 (s, ArCH₂CH₂N), 30.0 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 29.8 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 28.4 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH), 27.1 (s, Me₃COOCNCH₂CH₂CH).

(3S,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S)-10,13-Dimethyl-34(S)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)hexadecahydro-17H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one (32). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 140 mg (58%) of 32 as white solid. A mixture of syn- and anti- isomers (1:1). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.07-7.23 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.84-6.87 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.66-6.69 (m, 1H, Ar), 4.41 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, CHNPh), 3.46-3.74 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂NPh), 2.96-3.01 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂NPh), 2.39 -2.44 (m, 1H, alkyl-H), 2.00-2.08 (m, 1H, alkyl-H), 1.87-1.93 (m, 1H, alkyl-H), 1.70-1.83 (m, 4H, alkyl-H), 1.43-1.55 (m, 3H, alkyl-H), 1.16-1.33 (m, 8H, alkyl-H), 0.84-1.03 (m, 7H, alkyl-H), 0.77 (s, 3H, Me), 0.63-0.68 (m, 1H, alkyl-H). ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ221.41 (s, CO), 150.08 (s, Ar), 149.96 (s, Ar), 137.79 (s, Ar), 137.68 (s, Ar), 135.20 (s, Ar), 135.17 (s, Ar), 129.12 (s, Ar), 128.32 (s, Ar), 128.27 (s, Ar), 126.56 (s, Ar), 125.18 (s, Ar), 125.16 (s, Ar), 116.51 (s, Ar), 116.42 (s, Ar), 113.31 (s, Ar), 113.10 (s, Ar), 63.77 (s, CHNPh), 63.55 (s, CHNPh), 54.72 (s, CCO), 54.66 (s, CCO), 51.48 (s, alkyl-C), 47.80 (s, alkyl-C), 46.92 (s, alkyl-C), 46.71 (s, alkyl-C), 44.24 (s, alkyl-C), 44.19 (s, alkyl-C), 42.79 (s, alkyl-C), 38.59 (s, alkyl-C), 38.50 (s, alkyl-C), 36.06 (s, alkyl-C), 36.04 (s, alkyl-C), 35.84 (s, alkyl-C), 35.08 (s, alkyl-C), 32.89 (s, alkyl-C), 32.76 (s, alkyl-C), 31.58 (s, alkyl-C), 30.95 (s, alkyl-C), 28.74 (s, alkyl-C), 28.71 (s, alkyl-C), 27.22 (s, alkyl-C), 27.11 (s, alkyl-C), 26.21 (s, alkyl-C), 26.16 (s, alkyl-C), 21.73 (s, alkyl-C), 20.28 (s, alkyl-C), 13.81 (s, alkyl-C), 12.39 (s, alkyl-C). HRMS (ESI): m/z: +Hr calculated for C34H44NO: 482.3417, found.482.3420.

Cyclization of indoles

To a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (0.29 g, 12 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL) under N₂ at room temperature was added dropwise a solution of 4-methoxy-1H-indole (1.47 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL). The mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at room temperature and then added over 1 hour to a solution of 1,4-dibromobutane (4.32 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL). The resulting mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 4 h. Saturated aqueous NH₄Cl was then added, layers were separated and aqueous phase was extracted with Et2O. Organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was then purified by flash chromatography on silica eluting with CH₂Cl₂/hexane to afford light yellow oil of 1-(4-bromobutyl)-4-methoxy-1H-indole (1.16 g, 41%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.11-7.16 (m, 1H, Ar), 6.95-6.99 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.51-6.61 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.14 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 3.96 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.36 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 1.96-2.04 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 1.80-1.87 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ153.5 (s, Ar), 137.4 (s, Ar), 126.1 (s, Ar), 122.4 (s, Ar), 119.1 (s, Ar), 102.7 (s, Ar), 99.2 (s, Ar), 98.6 (s, Ar), 55.3 (s, OMe), 45.7 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 33.0 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 29.9 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 28.8 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₁₃H₁₇BrNO: 282.0488, found 282.0484.

To a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (0.29 g, 12 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL) under N₂ at room temperature was added dropwise a solution of 1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethan-1-one (1.59 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL). The mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at room temperature and then added over 1 hour to a solution of 1,4-dibromobutane (4.32 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL). The resulting mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 4 h. Saturated aqueous NH₄Cl was then added, layers were separated and aqueous phase was extracted with Et2O. Organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was then purified by flash chromatography on silica eluting with CH₂Cl/hexane to afford light yellow oil of 1-(1-(4-bromobutyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)ethan-1-one (1.06 g, 36%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ8.36-8.39 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.73 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.29-7.36 (m, 3H, Ar), 4.19 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 3.40 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 2.53 (s, 3H, COMe), 2.03-2.10 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 1.85-1.92 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ192.9 (s, COMe), 136.6 (s, Ar), 134.4 (s, Ar), 126.3 (s, Ar), 123.3 (s, Ar), 122.7 (s, Ar), 122.5 (s, Ar), 117.2 (s, Ar), 109.6 (s, Ar), 46.2 (s, COMe), 32.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 29.7 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 28.4 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 27.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₁₄H₁₇BrNO: 294.0488, found 294.0485.

To a round bottom flask, bromoalkane (0.5 mmol), gold complex 4a (0.5-1 mol %), Na₂CO₃ (1.5 mmol) and CH₃CN (2 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for 6 h at room temperature under N₂ and 405 nm light. After removal of the volatile materials under reduced pressure, the crude product was purified by chromatograph on silica gel (dichloromethane/n-hexane).

6,7,8,9-Tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indole (33). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 81 mg (94%) of 33 as white solid (Che, et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 1990, 3215-3219). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.52 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.25 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.05-7.14 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.18 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.03 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.97 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.04-2.10 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 1.85-1.91 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 137.1 (s, Ar), 136.2 (s, Ar), 128.2 (s, Ar), 120.1 (s, Ar), 119.5 (s, Ar), 119.5 (s, Ar), 108.5 (s, Ar), 97.5 (s, Ar), 42.3 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 24.2 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 23.4 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 21.2 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar).

2,3-Dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole (34). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 75 mg (95%) of 34 as white solid (Che, et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 1990, 3215-3219). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.53 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.24 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.02-7.12 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.15 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.05 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 3.01 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.56-2.63 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ144.5 (s, Ar), 133.2 (s, Ar), 132.7 (s, Ar), 120.3 (s, Ar), 120.1 (s, Ar), 119.1 (s, Ar), 109.3 (s, Ar), 92.3 (s, Ar), 43.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 27.8 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 24.3 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂Ar).

1-Methoxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indole (35). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 96 mg (95%) of 35 as white solid (Zhou, et al., Angew. Chem. 2017, 129, 15889-15893; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15683-15687). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.05 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.90 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.52 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.27 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.01 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 3.94 (s, 3 H. OMe), 2.94-2.97 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.03-2.09 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 1.84-1.90 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ152.6 (s, Ar), 137.7 (s, Ar), 135.6 (s, Ar), 120.8 (s, Ar), 118.5 (s, Ar), 102.3 (s, Ar), 99.9 (s, Ar), 94.7 (s, Ar), 55.4 (s, OMe), 42.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 24.2 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 23.4 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 21.3 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar).

2-Fluoro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indole (36). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 89 mg (94%) of 36 as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.12-7.17 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.83-6.88 (m, 1H, Ar), 6.14 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.01 (t, J =6.2 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.95 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.04-2.10 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 1.84-1.90 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ158.1 (d, J_C-F=233.2 Hz, Ar), 138.9 (s, Ar), 132.9 (s, Ar), 128.4 (d, J_C-F=10.4 Hz, Ar), 108.9 (d, J_C-F=9.9 Hz, Ar), 108.1 (d, J_C-F=26.2 Hz, Ar), 104.4 (d, J_C-F=23.5 Hz, Ar), 97.6 (d, J_C-F=4.5 Hz, Ar), 42.4 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 24.2 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 23.3 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 21.0 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃): δ−125.3 (s). HRMS (ESI): m/z: [M+H]⁺ calculated for C₁₂H₁₃FN: 190.1027, found 190.1025.

1-(6,7,8,9-Tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indol-10-yl)ethan-1-one (37). Performed according to the general procedure to afford 102 mg (96%) of 37 as white solid (Wang, et al., Tetrahedron 1999, 55, 6109-6118). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.99-8.01 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.22-7.32 (m, 3H, Ar), 4.08 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 3.33 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 2.64 (s, 3H, COCH₃), 2.06-2.12 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 1.91-1.97 (m, 2H, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar). ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃): δ193.9 (s, COCH₃), 146.0 (s, Ar), 136.1 (s, Ar), 126.3 (s, Ar), 122.3 (s, Ar), 121.6 (s, Ar), 120.5 (s, Ar), 113.0 (s, Ar), 109.2 (s, Ar), 42.5 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 31.3 (s, COCH₃), 25.6 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 22.3 (s, NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar), 20.0 (s,

NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Ar).

Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides

To a round bottom flask, aryl bromides or chlorides (0.1 mmol), gold complex 4a (0.05-5 mol %), iPr₂NEt (0.2 mmol), CH₃CN (0.5 mL) and MeOH (0.5 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature under N₂ and 405 nm or 442 nm light. The product conversion was determined by GC-MS analysis using hexadecane as an internal standard.

C—H bonds cleavage

In a glass tube, substrate (0.1 mmol), gold complex (0.005-0.01 mmol), and CD₃CN (0.6 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature under N₂ and 405 nm light. The product conversion was determined by ¹H NMR analysis using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as an internal standard.

ns-TA measurement

Experiment 1: the ns-TA spectra of complex 4a [0.04 mM] and in the presence of ISP, BEB, ISP+BEB [2 mM for each] at 31 ns, 10 μs, 100 μs and 2 ms after laser flash [The experiment was conducted in the acetonitrile solution containing ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M)]. ISP=2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, BEB=(2-bromoethyl)benzene.

Experiment 2: the ns-TA spectra of complex 4a [0.04 mM] and in the presence of BEB, ISP, BEB+ISP, BEB+TMP, BEB+ISP+TMP [2mM for each] at (left) 100 μs and (right) 2ms after laser flash [The experiment was conducted in the acetonitrile solution containing ⁿBu₄NPF₆ (0.1 M)]. ISP=2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, BEB=(2-bromoethyl)benzene, TMP=2,4,6-trimethylpyridine.

Experiment 3: the ns-TA spectra of complex 4a [0.04 mM] and in the presence of chloroform, bromoform, 1-bromobutane [2 mM] at (left) 0.06 μs; (middle) 10.06 μs and (right) 200.06 μs after laser flash.

Results

The capacity of these Au(I) complexes in catalyzing light-induced organic transformation reactions have been examined and the results are described below. The performance of complex 4a in catalyzing various organic reactions has been compared with known catalysts, such as [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂ and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], which are most commonly employed photocatalysts in photoredox catalysis. Due to the octahedral geometry of these two photocatalysts, they can only perform outersphere type electron transfer and energy transfer reactions. Complex 4a has shown results that are comparable to or better than that of [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂ and [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] in various photocatalytic reactions as described below and some exemplary yields are summarized in Table 3. Additionally, the Au(I) complexes, such as complex 4a, are more cost-friendly compared with known catalysts (Table 4).

TABLE 3
Yield of reactions using complex 4a as the photocatalyst compared
with other photocatalysts in a series of reactions.
	Yield (%)
				reductive
		alkylation	cyclization	dehalogenation
	homocoupling of (2-	of 21 to	of indoles	of 1-bromo-3-
Photocatalyst	bromoethyl)benzene	form 27	to form 33	methoxybenzene
[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	<1	12	<1	—
[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	5	20	2	—
[Au2(μ-dppm)2](Cl)2 (1a)	8	65	56	25
4a	72	93	99	99

TABLE 4
Cost of complex 4a compared with other photocatalysts.
Price (1 g/
RMB) Brand
1125 TCI
4950 TCI
1100 synthesized in  laboratory
1700 synthesized in  laboratory

Photoinduced Homocoupling of (2-bromoethyl)benzene and Alkyl Bromides

Results from the photo-induced homocoupling reaction of (2-bromoethyl)benzene under optimized reaction conditions show the highest yield with 4a as the photo-catalyst in the presence of iPr₂NMe under 405 nm light irradiation (Table 5a). Under the same conditions, very low product yields (1-8%) were obtained with other photocatalysts (Scheme 1). With 4a as the photocatalyst, unactivated alkyl bromides can react to give the homocoupled products in 32-53% yields (Scheme 2, 6-8, where 6 is produced from the reaction using 1-bromo-4-phenylbutane, 7 is produced from the reaction using 1-bromooctane, and 8 is produced from the reaction using 1-bromocyclohexane). The reaction has proceeded efficiently for various benzyl bromides (9,10,12,14-16 and 19, yields: 75-95%), and the substrates with pyridine and methoxy-substituted phenyl groups has given lower product yields (11: 53%; 18: 20%). The reaction with 4-chlorobenzyl bromide afforded the homocoupled product 13a and dechlorinated product 13b in 66% and 18% yields, respectively, demonstrating that 4a can reduce aryl halides upon light irradiation. The reaction with (1-bromoethyl)benzene has given the homocoupled product 20 in 52% yield. Under 442 nm LED irradiation, the reaction with 4-methylbenzyl bromide has given homocoupled product (10) in 83% yield, and (2-bromoethyl)benzene has undergone hydrodebromination to give ethylbenzene in 99% yield. Additionally, 4-methylbenzyl chloride has been converted to 10 (92% yield), while no reaction has been observed for (2-chloroethyl)benzene.

Table 5b shows the superiority of 4a among other photocatalysts in the homocoupling of (2-bromoethyl)benzene. Notably, at 2 wt % loading, complex 4a can catalyze the reaction with a 72% yield, in the presence of iPr2NMe under 405 nm light irradiation. Under the same conditions, when [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] or la is used, extremely low yields (1-8%) are obtained.

TABLE 5a
Optimization of photoinduced the homocoupling reaction of (2-
bromoethyl)benzene
		Loading	Light
Entry[a]	Catalyst	(%)	(nm)	Base	A (%)[b]	B (%)[b]
1	1a	1	405	Et3N	41	8
2	1b	1	405	Et3N	30	11
3	2a	1	405	Et3N	52	13
4	2b	1	405	Et3N	43	14
5	3a	1	405	Et3N	61	20
6	3b	1	405	Et3N	63	17
7	4a	1	405	Et3N	51	49
8	5a	1	405	Et3N	31	9
9	4a	1	405	iPr2NEt	39	61
10	4a	1	405	iPr2NMe	33	64
11	4a	1	405	1H-imidazole	73	9
12	4a	1	405	K2HPO4	30	<1
13	4a	1	405	Na2CO3	21	<1
14	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	1	405	iPr2NMe	9	<1
15	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	1	405	iPr2NMe	15	5
16	4a	1	442	iPr2NEt	>99	<1
17	4a	1	442	iPr2NMe	>99	<1
18	4a	2	405	iPr2NMe	28	72 (68%[d])
19	4a	0.5	405	iPr2NMe	49	51
20	—	—	405	iPr2NMe	<1	<1
21[c]	4a	1	—	iPr2NMe	<1	<1
[a]Reaction conditions: (2-bromoethyl) benzene (0.125 mmol), base (0.25 mmol) and catalyst in a mixture of solution of MeCN (0.5 mL) and MeOH (0.5 mL) at room temperature under N2 and light (12 W).
[b]Based on GC-MS analysis using hexadecane as an internal standard.
[c]at 80° C.
[d]Isolated yield.

TABLE 5b
Comparison of 1a, 4a, [Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2 and [fac-Ir(ppy)3]
in catalyzing the homocoupling of (2-bromoethyl)benzene.
Entry	Photocatalysis	Loading (%)	Base	Yield (%)
1	[Au2(μ-dppm)2](Cl)2 (1a)	1	Et3N	8
2	4a	1	Et3N	49
3	4a	1	iPr2NEt	64
4	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	1	iPr2NEt	<1
5	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	1	iPr2NEt	5
6	4a	2	iPr2NEt	72
7	5a	1	Et3N	9

Photochemical alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

For photochemical intermolecular C—H alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (21) with alkyl bromides (Scheme 3 and Table 6a), good product yields have been obtained for various benzyl and alkyl bromides (22-32, 41-88%) using 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine as a base. Table 6b shows the superiority of 4a among other photocatalysts in the alkylation with bromocyclohexane to form 27. In sharp contrast to the product yield (53%) obtained with 4a, the use of [Ru(bpy)₃](Cl)₂ or [fac-Ir(ppy)₃] has given product 27 in low yields of 12-20% under the same reaction conditions, while [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂ has been found to be almost ineffective (<5% yield) under 442 nm light irradiation. Further, androsterone bromide has also been successful in the alkylation of 21 to give 32 in 58% yield. The use of Na₂CO₃ as a base has also achieved the desired products in 79-85% yields (22, 30 and 31). Under 442 nm LED irradiation, products 22, 27 and 29-31 have been obtained in 64-84% yields with 2 mol % loading of complex 4a.

TABLE 6a
Optimization of photoinduced the reaction of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-
tetrahydroisoquinoline and bromocyclohexane.
			Light
Entry[a]	Catalyst	Base	(nm)	Yield (%)[b]
1	1a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	65
2	1b	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	60
3	2a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	65
4	2b	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	58
5	3a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	60
6	3b	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	62
7	4a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	93 (88[c])
8	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	12
9	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	405	20
10	4a	iPr2NEt	405	47
11	4a	iPr2NMe	405	50
12	4a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	442	53
13	4a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	442	86[d](83[c])
14	1a	2,4,6-trimethylpyridine	442	<1
15	4a	—	405	<1
[a]Reaction conditions: 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (0.125 mmol), bromocyclohexane (0.15 mmol), base (0.25 mmol) and catalyst (0.00125 mmol) in MeCN (1 mL) at room temperature under N2 and light(12 W).
[b]Based on NMR analysis using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as an internal standard.
[c]Isolated yield.
[d]Complex 4a (2 mol %), under 442 nm light (12 W).

TABLE 6b
Comparison of 1a, 4a, [Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2 and [fac-Ir(ppy)3] in
catalyzing the reaction of 21 with bromocyclohexane to form 27.
Entry	Photocatalysis	Light	Yield (%)
1	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	405 nm	12
2	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	405 nm	20
3	1a	405 nm	65
4	4a	405 nm	93
5	1a	442 nm	<5
6	4a	442 nm	53

Cyclization of Indoles

Complex 4a has catalyzed radical cyclization of 1-(bromoalkyl)-1H-indole with excellent product yields (Scheme 4c, 33-37; 94-96%; Table 7a) with 0.5 mol % complex 4a under 405 nm LED irradiation, which is comparable to that reported for la under 365 nm LED irradiation and 2.5 mol % catalyst loading. Table 7b shows the superiority of 4a among other photocatalysts in the cyclization of indoles to form 33. In sharp contrast to the product yield (99%) obtained with 4a, the use of [Ru(bpy)₃] (Cl)₂, [fac-Ir(ppy)₃], or [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂ has given product 33 in yields of 12%, 20%, or 56% under the same reaction conditions.

TABLE 7a
Optimization of photoinduced cyclization of indoles.
Entry[a]	Catalyst	Loading (%)	Light (nm)	Time (h)	Conv. (%)[b]
1	1a	2	405	2	56
2	1b	2	405	2	50
3	4a	2	405	2	>99
4	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	2	405	2	<1
5	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	2	405	2	2
6	4a	1	405	2	97
7	4a	0.5	405	2	84
8	4a	0.5	405	6	>99 (96[c])
9	4a	0.5	442	12	93
10	—	—	405	6	<1
11	4a	0.5	—	0	<1
[a]Reaction conditions: 1-(4-bromobutyl)-1H-indole (0.2 mmol), Na2CO3 (0.60 mmol) and catalyst in MeCN (0.5 mL) at room temperature under N2 and light (12 W).
[b]Based on NMR analysis using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as an internal standard.
[c]Isolated yield.
[d]at 80° C.

TABLE 7b
Comparison of 1a, 4a, [Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2 and [fac-Ir(ppy)3]
in catalyzing the cyclization of indoles to form 33.
Entry	Photocatalysis	Yield (%)
1	[Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2	<1
2	[fac-Ir(ppy)3]	2
3	1a	56
4	4a	99

Reductive Radical Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides

For reductive radical dehalogenation, complex 4a has been found to convert various aryl bromides (Ar—Br) to arenes (Ar—H) in good to excellent yields (Scheme 5, 39-43, 74-99%) with 0.25 mol % catalyst loading. 2 mol % loading of 4a has been used to convert methyl 4-bromobenzoate to arene 38 in 99%. In comparison, for the reaction with 1-bromo-3-methoxybenzene, lb only produces the debrominated product 42 in 25% yield under the same conditions. Notably, the reaction of 1-bromo-2-isopropylbenzene has given isopropylbenzene (43) in 96% yield with 0.05 mol % loading of 4a under 405 nm LED irradiation, and in 93% yield with 2 mol % loading of 4a under 442 nm LED irradiation. Various aryl chlorides have also been converted to arenes in yields from 26% to 68% (Scheme 5, 38, 39, 42 and 44-46, 26-68%) with 5 mol % loading of 4a. Previously, only a few photocatalysts have been reported to be efficient in reducing unactivated aryl bromides and chlorides with catalyst loading >1 mol %. For example, Tran, et al. reported using [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂](Cl)₂ (la) to catalyze the dehalogenation of methyl 4-bromobenzoate with <20% product yield using 5 mol % catalyst (Organic Letters 2016, 18, 4308-4311). Here, 4a has shown to catalyze dehalogenation of methyl 4-bromobenzoate with 99% product yield using 2 mol % catalyst. Further, 4a catalyzed the reaction to give product 42 in 99% yield, while lb produced the same debrominated product 42 in 25% yield under the same conditions. Complex 4a has shown the highest activity among the reported photocatalysts.

Photoinduced C—H Bonds Cleavage

For photoinduced C—H bonds cleavage, complex 5a has been found to convert various substrates to their respective products (Table 8). Further, the dehydrogenation of cyclohexa-1,4-diene using complex 5a has been compared with other photocatalysts (Scheme 6). The results show the outstanding activity of 5a in catalyzing this reaction. For the dehydrogenation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ or [Ir(ppy)₃], the product yield is <1% or 1%, respectively.

TABLE 8
Photoinduced C—H bonds cleavage catalyzed with 5a.[a]
			Yield
Entry	Substrate	Product	(%)
1			80
2			77
3			50
4			36
5			21
6			14
7			52
			16
8			6[b]
			8[b]
			Turnover
			number
9			42[c]
[a]Substrate (0.1 mmol), 5a (5 mol %, 0.005 mmol), CD3CN (0.6 mL) under N2 and 405 nm LED (12 W) irradiation for 12 h at room temperature; yield based on NMR analysis using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as an internal standard.
[b]365 nm LED (24 W) irradiation.
[c]5a (10 mg) in isopropyl alcohol under N2 and 365 nm LED (24 W) irradiation for 12 h.

Mechanistic Study

Regarding the reaction mechanism of photochemical alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (21), reductive quenching of the excited state of 4a by 21 (k_q′=5.21×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) has been proposed to be the dominating pathway, leading to the generation of long-lived ns-TA signal upon light irradiation, as demonstrated by the ns-TA spectra of complex 4a (data not shown) and kinetic studies of A O.D. intensity at 374 nm of solutions containing complex 4a and substrates (FIG. 6A)). The emissive excited state of complex 4a can be quenched by halocarbons such as chloroform, bromoform and 1-bromobutane with relatively small quenching rate constants of 1.97×10⁷ s⁻¹, 4.7×10⁷ s⁻¹ and 2.72×10⁶ s⁻¹, respectively. ns-TA measurements of CH₃CN solutions containing complex 4a and halocarbons (data not shown) and the kinetic data have shown long-lived, positive absorption difference band at 500-700 nm, demonstrating that this reaction may also proceed via an oxidative quenching pathway. A plausible reaction mechanism involving both oxidative and reductive processes has been proposed in Scheme 7.

For photochemical reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, the triplet excited state of complex 4a can be quenched by chlorobenzene with k_q of 1.83×10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹. ns-TA measurements in CH₃CN have shown that after the initial 40.D. decay of complex 4a at 440 nm (<5 μs), an increase in ΔO.D. at 440 nm and a concomitant decrease in ΔO.D. at 540 nm have been observed over 90 μs, showing a series of reactions following photo-excitation of complex 4a in the presence of chlorobenzene (FIGS. 6B and 6C and Scheme 8).

In summary, tuning of excited state nature of binuclear gold(I) diphosphine complexes and their use as a visible-light-activated carbon-halide cleaving agent under mild reaction conditions have been demonstrated. Among these, the morpholino-functionalized complex 4a can drive visible-light-induced C—C bond formation with unactivated alkyl bromides, and reduction of aryl halides with modest to excellent yields and with only 0.05-5 mol % loading of catalyst. The sterically bulky complex 5a can activate C—H bonds upon light irradiation.

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Claims

1. A gold (I) complex having a structure:

2. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a structure:

3. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein Li and L2 are independently a single bond or

4. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein X1-X4 are P.

5. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein CY1-CY8 are independently substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl.

6. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a structure:

7. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein R1-Rs are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted polyheteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl, halogen, oxo, or alkoxy.

8. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein R1-R8 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted alkenyl, haloalkyl, aliphatic alcohol, —NR70R71, substituted or unsubstituted polyaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl,

9. The gold (I) complex of claim 8, wherein R13 and R4 are independently unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, unsubstituted C1-C8 alkyl, unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl, unsubstituted C1-C5 alkyl, unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl, or unsubstituted C1-C3 alkyl.

10. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein Z1-Z3 are independently a halide.

11. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein each occurrence of A′ is hydride, oxide, fluoride, sulfide, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate, sulfate, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate, nitrite, thiosulfate, sulfite, chlorate, bromate, chlorite, hypochlorite, hypobromite, carbonate, chromate, hydrogen carbonate, dichromate, perchlorate, acetate, formate, cyanide, amide, cyanate, peroxide, thiocyanate, oxalate, hydroxide, or permanganate.

12. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a structure:

13. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex absorbs light at a wavelength of up to 520 nm, up to 500 nm, up to 480 nm, up to 450 nm, up to 420 nm, in a range from about 250 nm to about 520 nm, from about 250 nm to about 500 nm, from about 250 nm to about 480 nm, from about 250 nm to about 450 nm, from about 250 nm to about 420 nm, from about 280 nm to about 520 nm, from about 280 nm to about 500 nm, from about 280 nm to about 480 nm, from about 280 nm to about 450 nm, from about 280 nm to about 420 nm, from about 300 nm to about 520 nm, from about 300 nm to about 500 nm, from about 300 nm to about 480 nm, from about 300 nm to about 450 nm, from about 300 nm to about 420 nm, from about 320 nm to about 520 nm, from about 320 nm to about 500 nm, from about 320 nm to about 480 nm, from about 320 nm to about 450 nm, from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, from about 350 nm to about 520 nm, from about 350 nm to about 500 nm, from about 350 nm to about 480 nm, from about 350 nm to about 450 nm, from about 350 nm to about 420 nm, from about 380 nm to about 520 nm, from about 380 nm to about 500 nm, from about 380 nm to about 480 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 380 nm to about 420 nm, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex.

14. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has an extinction coefficient (“c”) of at least 0.1×104 M−1 cm−1, at least 0.5×104 M−1 cm−1, at least 1.0×104 M−1cm−1, at least 2.0×104 M−1 cm−1, at least 3.0×104 M−1 cm−1, at least 5.0×104 M−1 cm−1, at least 8.0×104 M−1 cm−1, or at least 10.0×104 M−1 cm−1, in solution or as powders, as determined using the absorption spectrum of the gold (I) complex.

15. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a radiative decay rate (“kr”) of at least 0.45×104 s−1, at least 0.80×104 s−1, at least 1.00×104 s−1, at least 2.00×104 s−1, at least 4.00×104 s−1, at least 8.00×104 s−1, at least 1.00×105 s−1, at least 1.50×105 s−1, at least 2.00×105 s−1, at least 2.50×105 s−1, or at least 2.80×105 s−1, such as about 2.95×105 s−1, in solution or as powders, as determined using the emission quantum yield and emission lifetime of the gold (I) complex.

16. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a diffusion-corrected bimolecular quenching rate constant (“kq') of at least 3.5×105 s−1, at least 5.0×105 s−1, at least 1.0×106 s−1, at least 5.0×106 s−1, at least 1.0×107 s−1, at least 5.0×107 s−1, at least 1.0×108 s−1, at least 3.5×108 s−1, at least 5.0×108 s−1, at least 8.0×108 s−1, or at least 1.0×109 s−1, such as in a range from about 3.5×108 s−1 to about 1.5×109 s−1, as determined using a quencher.

17. The gold (I) complex of claim 1, wherein the gold (I) complex has a reduction potential of less than −1.46 V, less than −1.50 V, less than −1.55 V, or less than −1.60 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (”SCE″), as determined by cyclic voltammetry.

18. A method of catalyzing a photoredox reaction using one or more gold (I) complex(es) of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: (i) exposing a reaction mixture to a light at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product,wherein the reaction mixture comprises a reactant, optionally more than one reactant, a solvent, and the one or more gold (I) complex(es), andwherein the light has a wavelength in a range from about 360 nm to about 450 nm, from about 370 nm to about 450 nm, from about 380 nm to about 450 nm, from about 390 nm to about 450 nm, from about 400 nm to about 450 nm, or from about 405 nm to about 450 nm, such as about 405 nm or about 445 nm.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the photoredox reaction is homocoupling of organic halides, alkylation of 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, cyclization of indoles, reductive dehalogenation of aryl halides, or cleavage of C—H bonds, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the product has a yield that is higher than the yield of the same product formed from the same reaction using [Au2(μ-dppm)2](Cl)2, from the same reaction using [Ru(bpy)3] (Cl)2, and/or from the same reaction using [fac-Ir(ppy)3], under the same reaction conditions, wherein the total amount of the one or more gold (I) complexes is the same as or lower than the amount of [Au2(μ-dppm)2](Cl)2, [Ru(bpy)3](Cl)2, or [fac-Ir(ppy)3] in the reaction mixture.