Gold-Catalyzed Site-Selective C−H Bond Functionalization with Diazo Compounds

C−H bond functionalization has been one of most important subject in chemistry. The carbene transfer reaction is one of the most straightforward and efficient approaches for site-selective C−H bond functionalization in the presence of transition-metals. Gold catalysts, which are different with the common-used transition-metals (such as Rh, Cu, Ru, Fe), displayed their unique catalytic activity in carbene transfer reactions, especially for C−H bond functionalization. In this focus review, we summarized recent progress of C−H bond functionalization via the decomposition of diazo compounds catalyzed by gold complexes. We also highlighted the specificity and provided the mechanistic rationale to understand these reactions.