Catalysts for selective aerobic oxidation under ambient conditions - Advances in Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen by Metal Complexes - page 239

As discussed above, all the available information (section 7) is consistent
with the rate limiting redox step being the simultaneous oxidation of
thioether and reduction of Au(III). A mechanism involving the rate-limiting
formation of the required Au(III) complex prior to undergoing redox
chemistry is not supported by any of the literature studies. The kinetics and
equilibrium investigations establish that in the oxidation of and

by and of by
the slowest step is the bimolecular reaction of thioether with
Au(III) complexes containing one or two thioether ligands. Both these
systems are stoichiometric; they do not undergo catalytic turnover. These
systems differ from ours as they do not contain and are used in polar,

protic solvent systems like 95:5 or 100% water.