Catalytic halogen exchange mediated by the dinuclear gold(I) complex [Au(CH2)2PPh2]2

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00083a037

In addition to establishing the reversible nature of the oxidative addition of RX (R = CH₃, CD₃; X = Br, I) to [Au(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂, we have observed that [Au(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂ catalyzes halogen exchange between CH₃Br and CD₃I as well as between [Au(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂Br₂ and CH₃I in CDCl₃. The results of attempted halogen exchange with a variety of alkyl halides suggests that a S_N2 process is likely via the formation of [[Au(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂CH₃] ⁺I^-; thus the dinuclear gold(I) complex effects exchange by ionization of CH₃I.