Template Synthesis,Metalation, and Self‐Assembly of Protic Gold(I)/(NHC)2 Tectons Driven by Metallophilic Interactions

A new protocol for the synthesis of protic bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) complexes of Au^I by a stepwise metal‐controlled coupling of isocyanide and propargylamine is described. They are used as tectons for the construction of supramolecular architectures through metalation and self‐assembly. Notably a unique polymeric chain of Cu^I with alternate Au^I/bis(imidazolate) bridging scaffolds and strong unsupported Cu^I–Cu^I interactions has been generated, as well as a 28‐metal‐atoms cluster containing a nanopiece of Cu₂O trapped by peripheral Au^I/bis(imidazolate) moieties.     

Template Synthesis,Metalation, and Self‐Assembly of Protic Gold(I)/(NHC)2 Tectons Driven by Metallophilic Interactions

A new protocol for the synthesis of protic bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) complexes of Au^I by a stepwise metal‐controlled coupling of isocyanide and propargylamine is described. They are used as tectons for the construction of supramolecular architectures through metalation and self‐assembly. Notably a unique polymeric chain of Cu^I with alternate Au^I/bis(imidazolate) bridging scaffolds and strong unsupported Cu^I–Cu^I interactions has been generated, as well as a 28‐metal‐atoms cluster containing a nanopiece of Cu₂O trapped by peripheral Au^I/bis(imidazolate) moieties.     

Predicting Stable Molecular Structures for (RNC)2AuIX Complexes

Calculations have been performed at the MP2 and DFT levels for investigating the reasons for the difficulties in synthesizing bis(isocyanide)gold(I) halide complexes. Three‐coordinated gold(I) complexes of the type (R₃P)₂Au^IX ( 1 ) can be synthesized, whereas the analogous isocyanide complexes (RNC)₂Au^IX ( 2 ) are not experimentally known. The molecular structures of (R₃P)₂Au^IX (X = Cl, Br, and I) and (RNC)₂Au^IX with X = halide, cyanide, nitrite, methylthiolate, and thiocyanate are compared and structural differences are discussed. Calculations of molecular properties elucidate which factors determine the strength of the gold‐ligand interactions in (RNC)₂Au^IX. The linear bonding mode of RNC favors a T‐shaped geometry instead of the planar Y‐shaped trigonal structure of (R₃P)₂Au^IX complexes that have been synthesized. An increased polarity of the Au–X bond in 2 leads to destabilization of the Y‐shaped structure. Chalcogen‐containing ligands or cyanide appear to be good X‐ligand candidates for synthesis of (RNC)₂Au^IX complexes.     

Polynuclear Gold [AuI]4, [AuI]8, and Bimetallic [AuI4AgI] Complexes: C−H Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds and Homogeneous Carbonylation of Amines

The synthesis of tetranuclear gold complexes, a structurally unprecedented octanuclear complex with a planar [Au^I₈] core, and pentanuclear [Au^I₄M^I] (M=Cu, Ag) complexes is presented. The linear [Au^I₄] complex undergoes C?H functionalization of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. In addition, [Au^I₄Ag^I] catalyzes the carbonylation of primary amines to form ureas under homogeneous conditions with efficiencies higher than those achieved by gold nanoparticles.     

Bimetallic Au2Cu6 Nanoclusters: Strong Luminescence Induced by the Aggregation of Copper(I) Complexes with Gold(0) Species

The concept of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) has been exploited to render non‐luminescent Cu^ISR complexes strongly luminescent. The Cu^ISR complexes underwent controlled aggregation with Au⁰. Unlike previous AIE methods, our strategy does not require insoluble solutions or cations. X‐ray crystallography validated the structure of this highly fluorescent nanocluster: Six thiolated Cu atoms are aggregated by two Au atoms (Au₂Cu₆ nanoclusters). The quantum yield of this nanocluster is 11.7 %. DFT calculations imply that the fluorescence originates from ligand (aryl groups on the phosphine) to metal (Cu^I) charge transfer (LMCT). Furthermore, the aggregation is affected by the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR), and the high rigidity of the outer ligands enhances the fluorescence of the Au₂Cu₆ nanoclusters. This study thus presents a novel strategy for enhancing the luminescence of metal nanoclusters (by the aggregation of active metal complexes with inert metal atoms), and also provides fundamental insights into the controllable synthesis of highly luminescent metal nanoclusters.     

The nature of the AuI ... AuI Interactions between Cationic [AuL2]+ Complexes in the Solid State

The interaction energy of a [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ ... [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ dimer is investigated using the MP2 method and the LANL2DZ basis set when isolated or embedded in ionic an [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregate, a good model for the environment that these dimers feel in ionic crystals. A repulsive interaction energy is obtained when the dimer is isolated. However, it is possible to find short Au^I ... Au^I separations in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregates, because in these aggregates the sum of the cation ... anion interactions overweight the sum of the cation ... cation plus anion...anion interactions. This explains why short Au^I ... Au^I separations are found in ionic crystals. The Au^I ... Au^I interaction found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates shows the same features observed in energetically stable dimers presenting Au^I... Au^I bonds. This makes appropriate to use the name counterion-mediated bonds for the Au^I... Au^I interactions found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates and ionic crystals.     

Sterically Demanding AgI and CuI N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis,Structures, Steric Parameters,and Catalytic Activity

The synthesis and full characterization of new air-stable Ag^I and Cu^I complexes bearing structurally bulky expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbene (erNHC) ligands is presented. The condensation of protonated NHC salts with Ag₂O afforded a collection of Ag^I complexes, and their first use as ligand transfer reagents led to novel isostructural Cu^I or Au^I complexes. In situ deprotonation of the NHC salts in the presence of a copper(I) source, provides a library of new Cu^I complexes. The solid-state structures feature large N-C_NHC-N angles (118–128°) and almost identical angles between the aryl groups on the nitrogen atoms and the plane of the N-C-N unit of the carbene (i.e. torsion angles close to 0°). Among the steric parameters, the percent buried volume (%V_bur) values span easily in the 50–57 % range, and that one of (9-Dipp)CuBr complex (%V_bur=57.5) overcomes to other known erNHC–metal complexes reported to date. Preliminary catalytic experiments in the copper-catalyzed coupling between N-tosylhydrazone and phenylacetylene, afforded 76–93 % product at the 0.5–2.5 mol % catalyst loading, proving the stability of Cu^I erNHC complexes at elevated temperatures (100 °C).     

First Dinuclear Copper/Gallium Complexes: Supporting Cu0 and CuI Centres by Low‐Valent Organogallium Ligands

The synthesis and structural characterisation of low‐valent dinuclear copper(I) and copper(0) complexes supported by organogallium ligands has been accomplished for the first time by the reductive coordination reaction of [GaCp*] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and [Ga(ddp)] (ddp=HC(CMeNC₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)₂ 2‐diisopropylphenylamino‐4‐diisopropylphenylimino‐2‐pentene) with readily available copper(II) and copper(I) precursors. The treatment of CuBr₂ and Cu(OTf)₂ (OTf=CF₃SO₃) with [Ga(ddp)] under mild conditions resulted in elimination of [Ga(L)₂(ddp)] (L=Br, OTf) and afforded the novel gallium(I)/copper(I) compounds [{(ddp)GaCu(L)}₂] (L=Br ( 1 ), OTf ( 2 )). The single‐crystal X‐ray structure determinations of 1 and 2 reveal that these molecules are composed of {(ddp)GaCu(L)} dimeric units, with planar Cu^I? Ga^I four‐membered rings and short Cu^I???Cu^I distances, with 2 exhibiting the shortest Cu^I???Cu^I contact reported to date of 2.277(3) Å. The all‐gallium coordinated dinuclear [Cu₂(GaCp*)(μ‐GaCp*)₃Ga(OTf)₃] ( 3 ) is formed when Cu(OTf)₂ is combined with [GaCp*] instead of [Ga(ddp)]. Notably, in the course of this redox reaction Lewis acidic Ga(OTf)₃ is formed, which coordinates to one of the electron‐rich copper(0) centres. Compound 3 is suggested as the first case of a structurally characterised complex of copper(0). By changing the copper(II) to a copper(I) source, that is, [Cu(cod)₂][OTf] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene), the salt [Cu₂(GaCp*)₃(μ‐GaCp*)₂][OTf]₂ ( 4 ) is formed, the cationic part of which is related to previously described isoelectronic dinuclear d¹⁰ complexes of the type [M₂(GaCp*)₅] (M=Pd, Pt).     

Amine‐Responsive Disassembly of AuI–CuI Double Salts for Oxidative Carbonylation

A sensitive amine‐responsive disassembly of self‐assembled Au^I‐Cu^I double salts was observed and its utilization for the synergistic catalysis was enlightened. Investigation of the disassembly of [Au(NHC)₂][CuI₂] revealed the contribution of Cu‐assisted ligand exchange of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) by amine in [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ and the capacity of [CuI₂]^? on the oxidative step. By integrating the implicative information coded in the responsive behavior and inherent catalytic functions of d¹⁰ metal complexes, a catalyst for the oxidative carbonylation of amines was developed. The advantages of this method were clearly reflected on mild reaction conditions and the significantly expanded scope (51 examples); both primary and steric secondary amines can be employed as substrates. The cooperative reactivity from Au and Cu centers, as an indispensable prerequisite for the excellent catalytic performance, was validated in the synthesis of (un)symmetric ureas and carbamates.     

Multifunctional Heterometallic IrIII−AuI Probes as Promising Anticancer and Antiangiogenic Agents

A new class of emissive cyclometallated Ir^III−Au^I complexes with a bis(diphenylphosphino) methanide bridging ligand was successfully synthesised from the diphosphino complex [Ir(N^C)₂(dppm)]⁺ ( 1 ). The different gold ancillary ligand, a triphenylphosphine ( 2 ), a chloride ( 3 ) or a thiocytosine ( 4 ) did not reveal any significant effect on the photophysical properties, which are mainly due to metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (³MLCT) transitions based on Ir^III. However, the Au^I fragment, along with the ancillary ligand, seemed crucial for the bioactivity in A549 lung carcinoma cells versus endothelial cells. Both cell types display variable sensitivities to the complexes (IC₅₀=0.6–3.5 μM). The apoptotic pathway is activated in all cases, and paraptotic cell death seems to take place at initial stages in A549 cells. Species 2 – 4 showed at least dual lysosomal and mitochondrial biodistribution in A549 cells, with an initial lysosomal localisation and a possible trafficking process between both organelles with time. The bimetallic Ir^III−Au^I complexes disrupted the mitochondrial transmembrane potential in A549 cells and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibition in comparison with that displayed by the monometallic complex 1 . Angiogenic activity assays performed in endothelial cells revealed the promising antimetastatic potential of 1 , 2 and 4 .     

Thermochromism of CuI Tetrakisguanidine Complexes: Reversible Activation of Metal‐to‐Ligand Charge‐Transfer Bands

Tetranuclear, intensely blue‐coloured Cu^I complexes were synthesised in which two Cu₂X₃^? units (X=Br or I) are bridged by a dicationic GFA (guanidino‐functionalised aromatic) ligand. The UV/Vis spectra show a large metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) band around 638 nm. The tetranuclear “low‐temperature” complexes are in a temperature‐dependent equilibrium with dinuclear Cu^I “high‐temperature” complexes, which result from the reversible elimination of two CuX groups. A massive thermochromism effect results from the extinction of the strong MLCT band upon CuX elimination with increasing temperature. For all complexes, quantum chemical calculations predict a small and method‐dependent energy difference between the possible electronic structures, namely Cu^I and dicationic GFA ligand (closed‐shell singlet) versus Cu^II and neutral GFA ligand (triplet or broken‐symmetry state). The closed‐shell singlet state is disfavoured by hybrid‐DFT functionals, which mix in exact Hartree–Fock exchange, and is favoured by larger basis sets and consideration of a polar medium.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted AuI to AuIII Oxidation in Triazol‐5‐ylidene Complexes

Reaction of triazolium precursors [MIC(CH₂)_n ‐ H⁺]I⁻ (n =1–3) with potassium hexamethyldisilazane (KHMDS) and AuCl(SMe₂) generates the gold(I) complexes of the type MIC(CH₂)_n ⋅AuI. Visible light exposure of the latter complexes promotes a spontaneous disproportionation process rendering gold(III) complexes of the type [{MIC(CH₂)_n }₂⋅AuI₂]⁺I⁻. Both the Au^I and Au^III complex series were tested in the catalytic hydrohydrazination of terminal alkynes using hydrazine as nitrogen source.     

Silver‐Free Two‐Component Approach in Gold Catalysis: Activation of [LAuCl] Complexes with Derivatives of Copper,Zinc, Indium,Bismuth, and Other Lewis Acids

Complexes of type [LAuCl] (L=phosphine, phosphite, NHC and others) are widely employed in homogeneous catalysis, however, they are usually inactive as such and must be used jointly with a halide scavenger. To date, this role has mostly been entrusted to silver salts (AgSbF₆, AgPF₆, AgBF₄, AgOTf, etc.). However, silver salts can be the source of deactivation processes or side reactions, so it is sometimes advisable to use silver‐free cationic gold complexes, which can be difficult to synthesize and to handle compared with the more robust chloride. We show in this study that various Lewis acids of the transition and main group metal families are expedient substitutes to silver salts. We have tested Cu^I, Cu^II, Zn^II, In^III, Si^IV, Bi^III, and other salts in a variety of typical Au^I‐catalyzed transformations, and the results have revealed that [LAuCl] can form active species in their presence.     

Coinage Metal Complexes of Bis(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)phenylphosphine-Simple Reactions Can Lead to Unprecedented Results

The different coordination behavior of the flexible yet sterically demanding, hemilabile P,N ligand bis(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)phenylphosphine ( bqmpp ) towards selected Cu^I, Ag^I and Au^I species is described. The resulting X-ray crystal structures reveal interesting coordination geometries. With [Cu(MeCN)₄]BF₄, compound 1 [Cu₂(bqmpp)₂](BF₄)₂ is obtained, wherein the copper(I) atoms display a distorted square planar and square pyramidal geometry. The steric demand and π-stacking of the ligand allow for a short Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distance (2.588(9) Å). Cu^I complex 2 [Cu₄Cl₃(bqmpp)₂]BF₄ contains a rarely observed Cu₄Cl₃ cluster, probably enabled by dichloromethane as the chloride source. In the cluster, even shorter Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distances (2.447(1) Å) are present. The reaction of Ag[SbF₆] with the ligand leads to a dinuclear compound ( 3 ) in solution as confirmed by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. During crystallization, instead of the expected phosphine complex 3 , a tris(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)bisphenyl-phosphine ( tqmbp ) compound [Ag₂(tqmbp)₂](SbF₆)₂ 4 is formed by elimination of quinaldine. The Au(I) compound [Au₂(bqmpp)₂]PF₆ ( 5 ) is prepared as expected and shows a linear arrangement of two phosphine ligands around Au^I.     

Improved Photostability of a CuI Complex by Macrocyclization of the Phenanthroline Ligands

The development of molecular materials for conversion of solar energy into electricity and fuels is one of the most active research areas, in which the light absorber plays a key role. While copper(I)-bis(diimine) complexes [Cu^I(L)₂]⁺ are considered as potent substitutes for [Ru^II(bpy)₃]²⁺, they exhibit limited structural integrity as ligand loss by substitution can occur. In this article, we present a new concept to stabilize copper bis(phenanthroline) complexes by macrocyclization of the ligands which are preorganized around the Cu^I ion. Using oxidative Hay acetylene homocoupling conditions, several Cu^I complexes with varying bridge length were prepared and analyzed. Absorption and emission properties are assessed; rewardingly, the envisioned approach was successful since the flexible 1,4-butadiyl-bridged complex does show enhanced MLCT absorption and emission, as well as improved photostability upon irradiation with a blue LED compared to a reference complex.     

Cu3(CN)4(NH3)2Hg(CN)2: a novel inter­penetrating framework formed from CuI,CuII, HgII and cyanide bridges

The title compound, poly[diammine­hexa‐μ‐cyano‐di­copper(I)­copper(II)­mercury(II)], [Cu₃Hg(CN)₆(NH₃)₂]_n, has a novel threefold‐inter­penetrating structure of three‐dimensional frameworks. This three‐dimensional framework consists of two‐dimensional network Cu₃(CN)₄(NH₃)₂ complexes and rod‐like Hg(CN)₂ complexes. The two‐dimensional network complex contains trigonal–planar Cu^I (site symmetry m) and octa­hedral Cu^II (site symmetry 2/m) in a 2:1 ratio. Two types of cyanide group form bridges between three coordination sites of Cu^I and two equatorial sites of Cu^II to form a two‐dimensional structure with large hexa­gonal windows. One type of CN⁻ group is disordered across a center of inversion, while the other resides on the mirror plane. Two NH₃ mol­ecules (site symmetry 2) are located in the hexa­gonal windows and coordinate to the remaining equatorial sites of Cu^II. Both N atoms of the rod‐like Hg(CN)₂ group (Hg site symmetry 2/m and CN⁻ site symmetry m) coordinate to the axial sites of Cu^II. This linkage completes the three‐dimensional framework and penetrates two hexa­gonal windows of two two‐dimensional network complexes to form the threefold‐inter­penetrating structure.     

Phosphorescent Cationic Heterodinuclear IrIII/MI Complexes (M=CuI,AuI) with a Hybrid Janus-Type N-Heterocyclic Carbene Bridge

A novel class of phosphorescent cationic heterobimetallic Ir^III/M^I complexes, where M^I=Cu^I ( 4 ) and Au^I ( 5 ), is reported. The two metal centers are connected by the hybrid bridging 1,3-dimesityl-5-acetylimidazol-2-ylidene-4-olate (IMesAcac) ligand that combines both a chelating acetylacetonato-like and a monodentate N-heterocyclic carbene site coordinated onto an Ir^III and a M^I center, respectively. Complexes 4 and 5 have been prepared straightforwardly by a stepwise site-selective metalation with the zwitterionic [(IPr)M^I(IMesAcac)] metalloproligand (IPr=1,3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene) and they have been fully characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational investigation. Complexes 4 and 5 display intense red emission arising from a low-energy excited state that is located onto the “Ir(C^N)” moiety featuring an admixed triplet ligand-centered/metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³IL/¹MLCT) character. Comparison with the benchmark mononuclear complexes reveals negligible electronic coupling between the two distal metal centers at the electronic ground state. The bimetallic systems display enhanced photophysical properties in comparison with the parental congeners. Noteworthy, similar non-radiative rate constants have been determined along with a two-fold increase of radiative rate, yielding brightly red-emitting cyclometalating Ir^III complexes. This finding is ascribed to the increased MLCT character of the emitting state in complexes 4 and 5 due to the smaller energy gap between the ³IL and ¹MLCT manifolds, which mix via spin–orbit coupling.     

Oxidative Addition of Alkenyl and Alkynyl Iodides to a AuI Complex

The first isolated examples of intermolecular oxidative addition of alkenyl and alkynyl iodides to Au^I are reported. Using a 5,5′‐difluoro‐2,2′‐bipyridyl ligated complex, oxidative addition of geometrically defined alkenyl iodides occurs readily, reversibly and stereospecifically to give alkenyl‐Au^III complexes. Conversely, reversible alkynyl iodide oxidative addition generates bimetallic complexes containing both Au^III and Au^I centers. Stoichiometric studies show that both new initiation modes can form the basis for the development of C?C bond forming cross‐couplings.     

A mesoporous ionic solid with 272 AuI6AgI3CuII3 complex cations in a super huge crystal lattice

Here, we report a unique mesoporous ionic solid (I) generated from a cationic Au^I₆Ag^I₃Cu^II₃ dodecanuclear complex with d-penicillamine depending on the homochirality and crystallization conditions. I crystallizes in the cubic space group of F4₁32 with an extremely large cell volume of 2 171 340 ų, containing 272 Au^I₆Ag^I₃Cu^II₃ complex cations in the unit cell. In I, the complex cations are connected to each other through CH⋯π interactions in a zeotype framework, the topology of which is the same as that of the metal–organic framework in MIL-101, with similar but much larger two types of polyhedral pores with internal diameters of 38.2 Å and 49.7 Å, which are occupied by counter-anions and water molecules. Due to the cationic nature of the framework, I undergoes quick, specific exchanges of counter-anions while retaining its single crystallinity. This study realized the creation of a non-covalent mesoporous framework from a single complex salt, providing a conceptual advance in solid chemistry and material science.

A non-MOF ionic solid having two types of polyhedral mesopores in a very large crystal lattice is generated from a cationic Au^I₆Ag^I₃Cu^II₃ complex with d-penicillamine, showing specific exchanges of counter-anions retaining its single crystallinity.