Nanogold(0)-Catalyzed Addition of Heteroelement σ Linkages to Functional Groups

<jats:p>In recent years, supported Au nanoparticles and nanoporous Au materials have shown remarkable catalytic activity in the activation of σ heteroelement linkages such as, Si–H, Si–Si, B–B and B–Si, and their subsequent addition to functional groups, primarily π bonds. In this review article we discuss the reaction modes known to date, and attempt to discuss the mechanistic clues of these transformations which are rather unexpected in terms of conventional transition-metal catalysis concepts, given that the catalytic sites are metallic Au(0).</jats:p><jats:p>1 Introduction</jats:p><jats:p>2 Activation of Hydrosilanes</jats:p><jats:p>2.1 Reactions of Hydrosilanes with Alkynes</jats:p><jats:p>2.1.1 Hydrosilylation</jats:p><jats:p>2.1.2 Dehydrogenative Coupling</jats:p><jats:p>2.2 Reactions of Hydrosilanes with Allenes</jats:p><jats:p>2.3 Reactions of Hydrosilanes with Carbonyl Compounds and Imines</jats:p><jats:p>2.4 Reactions of Hydrosilanes with α-Diazo Carbonyl Compounds</jats:p><jats:p>2.5 Miscellaneous Transformations from the Nano Au-Catalyzed Activation­ of Hydrosilanes</jats:p><jats:p>3 Activation of Disilanes</jats:p><jats:p>3.1 Disilylation of Alkynes</jats:p><jats:p>3.2 Reactions of 1,1,2,2-Tetramethyldisilane with Alkynes</jats:p><jats:p>4 Activation of Diboranes</jats:p><jats:p>4.1 Diborylation of Alkenes</jats:p><jats:p>4.2 Diborylation of Alkynes</jats:p><jats:p>4.3 Diborylation of Allenes</jats:p><jats:p>4.4 Diborylation of Methylenecyclopropanes</jats:p><jats:p>5 Activation of Silylboranes</jats:p><jats:p>5.1 Silaboration of Alkynes</jats:p><jats:p>5.2 Silaboration of Allenes</jats:p><jats:p>5.3 Silaboration of Unactivated Epoxides and Oxetanes</jats:p><jats:p>5.4 Reactions of Silylboranes with Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds</jats:p><jats:p>6 Conclusions and Future Perspectives</jats:p>