Selective transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes with nanoporous gold catalysts

A facile, highly chemo- and stereoselective transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes to Z-olefins has been achieved by use of unsupported nanoporous gold (AuNPore) as a heterogeneous catalyst together with formic acid as a hydrogen donor. A variety of terminal/internal and aromatic/aliphatic alkynes were reduced to the corresponding alkenes in high chemical yields with good functional-group tolerance. The catalyst is robust enough to be reused without leaching.