Gold-Catalyzed Carbonylative C(sp2)–O Cross-Coupling of Organohalides with Triaryl Borates

Herein, we report a carbonylative C(sp2)–O cross-coupling of aryl and vinyl iodides with triaryl borates as aryloxy-transfer reagents utilizing ligand-enabled Au(I)/Au(III) redox catalysis. DFT calculations support a mechanism involving the formation of an ion-pair intermediate comprising a borate anion and an aryl acylium cation, followed by aryloxy transfer from borate to the acylium ion to furnish the product. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the utility of triaryl borates as aryloxy-transfer reagents for aryloxycarbonylation of organohalides.