Despite its generally poor catalytic properties, bulk gold metal is observed to catalyze reactions of isocyanides (C⋮ NR) with primary amines (H2N-R') and O2 to give carbodiimides (RN C N-R') at room temperature and above. Detailed infrared reflection absorption spectroscopic (IRRAS) and kinetic studies show that the reaction occurs by initial η1-adsorption of the isocyanide on the Au surface, which activates the isocyanide to attack ...
