The catalysis of organic reactions by gold-catalysts has received in the past only little attention because of the preconceived opinion that gold is expensive and inert. The successful application of supported gold catalysts to pollution abatement changed this assessment and spurred on the explosion of interest in gold catalysis towards organic synthesis. Supported Au catalyst and homogeneous gold(III)- catalysts are effective in oxidation processes based on the most attractive oxidant, O2 / air, that proceed at a satisfactory rate at room temperature, selectively, and without rapid catalyst decomposition. Gold (III) salts are very effective catalysts for amination reaction of carbonyl compounds. The regio- / chemoselective interaction to the acetylenic bond is another of the more interesting features of gold catalysis. Activation of alkynes towards nucleophilic attack proved that gold salts are soft, exceptionally carbophilic Lewis acids. The dual role of Au(III) as a Lewis acid and as a transition-metal catalyst accomplished the synthesis of a variety of heterocycles through domino reactions.

A new efficient gold(III) catalysed synthesis of β-enaminones from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and ammonia/amines providing an attractive and environmental friendly alternative to the more vigorous reagents and drastic conditions of the existing methodologies is described; the catalysis of gold(III) is also extended to reaction of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls with O-, P- and S-nucleophiles.