Insights into the mechanism for gold catalysis: behaviour of gold(i) amide complexes in solution

We report the synthesis and activity of new mononuclear and dinuclear gold amide complexes 1-7. The dinuclear complexes 6b and 7 were characterised by single crystal X-ray analysis. We also report solution NMR and freezing point depression experiments to rationalise their behaviour in solution and question the de-ligation process invoked in gold catalysis.