title: Advances in Transition-Metal-Catalysed Alkyne Hydroarylations.
abstract: We present herein a personal account of our achievements in the development of novel catalytic systems based on late-transition-metal complexes for the hydroarylation of alkynes. In particular, our targets were intermolecular hydroarylation reactions with arene or heteroarene substrates devoid of directing groups. We have shown that complexes of palladium, platinum or gold with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands can be particularly useful catalysts for this reaction; the NHC ligand imparts greater stability to the complex and renders the catalytic system more productive. Furthermore, we have identified promoters and reaction media that allow to significantly improve the catalytic activity under mild conditions, to control the reaction chemoselectivity and to steer it towards more complex products; thus making this reaction considerably more attractive for the synthetic chemist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biffis
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tubaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baron
keywords: carbene ligands; gold; hydroarylation; ionic liquids; palladium