Catalyzed formation of α,β-unsaturated ketones or aldehydes from propargylic acetates by a recoverable and recyclable nanocluster catalyst

An active, recoverable, and recyclable nanocluster catalyst, Au25(SR)18(-), has been developed to catalyze the formation of α,β-unsaturated ketones or aldehydes from propargylic acetates. The catalytic process has been proposed to be initialized by an SN2' addition of OH(-). Moreover, a dramatic solvent effect was observed, for which a rational explanation was provided.