Group 11 complexes containing the [C5(CN)5]- ligand; 'coordination-analogues' of molecular organometallic systems

The reactions of NaC(5)(CN)(5)] (Na1]) with group 11 phosphine complexes (P)(n)MCl] (M = Cu, Ag, Au, P = Ph(3)P; M = Cu, P = dppe (Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))] give a range of compounds containing the pentacyanocyclopentadienide ligand, C(5)(CN)(5)](-) (1). The new complexes (Ph(3)P)(2)M{1}](2) M = Cu (3); M = Ag (5)], (Ph(3)P)(3)Ag{1}] (4), (dppe)(3)Cu(2){1}(2)] (6) and Au(PPh(3))(2)]1] (7) include the first complete series of group 11 complexes of any cyclopentadienide ligand to be structurally characterised.