“…CD 3 CN accelerates the reaction, leading to a yield of 60% in 50 min. In the presence of water (0.6 equiv) in CD 3 CN, the same yield was observed, along with the decomposition of 5a to Ph 3 PO and the terminal alkyne, as well as 1,4-bisphenylbuta-1,3-diyne being formed by the coupling of the terminal alkyne with the alkynylgold(III) complex (see SI section 4.3). We have also confirmed that the oxidative addition behavior is not specific to Phen complex 1a , and the complex (2,2′-bipyridyl)Ph 3 PAu(I)NTf 2 1e is also competent for the oxidative addition, giving the product in 38% NMR yield after 12 h.…”