Can Gold Chloride Be Used As A Catalyst? If So, What Reactions Can It Catalyze?

Yes, gold chloride (AuCl) can be used as a catalyst for various reactions. Some of the reactions that gold chloride can catalyze include oxidation reactions, hydrogenation reactions, and C-C coupling reactions. In particular, gold chloride has been found to be effective in promoting the selective oxidation of alcohols and olefins, as well as the hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds such as aldehydes and ketones. Additionally, gold chloride has been shown to catalyze the coupling of aryl halides with terminal acetylenes to form alkynes through a process known as the Sonogashira reaction. The use of gold chloride as a catalyst can offer advantages over other metal-based catalysts due to its high stability and low toxicity.