Synthesis of (P^N^C)Gold(III) Complexes via Tandem Oxidative Addition/C–H Auration

A new method for the synthesis of cyclometalated gold-(III) complexes featuring (P^N^C) ligands is reported. This protocol employs a tandem oxidative addition/cycloauration process, enabling the formation of (P^N^C)-gold-(III)-aryl, -alkenyl and -alkynyl derivatives by creating two Au-C bonds in one pot from a structurally diverse range of C-(sp)- and C-(sp)-iodide substrates. Additionally, a complementary two-step method was developed to access (P^N^C)-gold-(III)-alkynyl complexes, which exhibit emission in the blue and green light regions.