Gold Complexes with Difunctional Perfluoroalkyl Chains: Quantifying the Energy of Aurophilic Interactions in Flexible Open-Chain Complexes

The first binuclear Au^I compounds containing bridging (CF₂)_n chains (n=4, 6, 8) and Au^III metallaperfluorocyclopentanes have been obtained by photoinitiated reactions of LAuMe (L=PPh₃, PMe₃, PCy₃, or IPr) with α,ω-diiodoperfluorocarbons. Complexes LAu(CF₂)₄AuL present an unusual looped structure stabilized by an aurophilic interaction for L=PMe₃, PPh₃, and PCy₃. The study of their dynamic behaviour has provided new insights about the strength of aurophilic interactions in solution, allowing quantification of the energy of a single Au⋅⋅⋅Au interaction.     

Dinuclear Au(I), Au(II) and Au(III) Complexes with (CF2)n Chains: Insights into The Role of Aurophilic Interactions in the Au(I) Oxidation

New dinuclear Au(I), Au(II) and Au(III) complexes containing (CF₂)_n bridging chains were obtained. Metallomacrocycles [Au₂{μ-(CF₂)₄}{μ-diphosphine}] show an uncommon figure-eight structure, the helicity inversion barrier of which is influenced by aurophilic interactions and steric constraints imposed by the diphosphine. Halogenation of LAu(CF₂)₄AuL (L=PPh₃, PMe₃, (dppf)_1/2, (binap)_1/2) gave [Au(II)]₂ species, some of which display unprecedented folded structures with Au−Au bonds. Aurophilic interactions facilitate this oxidation process by preorganizing the starting [Au(I)]₂ complexes and lowering its redox potential. The obtained [Au(II)]₂ complexes undergo thermal or photochemical elimination of R₃PAuX to give Au(III) perfluorinated auracycles. Evidence of a radical mechanism for these decomposition reactions was obtained.     

Gold(I) and Gold(III) Trifluoromethyl Derivatives

Trifluoromethylation of AuCl₃ by using the Me₃SiCF₃/CsF system in THF and in the presence of [PPh₄]Br proceeds with partial reduction, yielding a mixture of [PPh₄][Au^I(CF₃)₂] ( 1′ ) and [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2′ ) that can be adequately separated. An efficient method for the high‐yield synthesis of 1′ is also described. The molecular geometries of the homoleptic anions [Au^I(CF₃)₂]^? and [Au^III(CF₃)₄]^? in their salts 1′ and [NBu₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2 ) have been established by X‐ray diffraction methods. Compound 1′ oxidatively adds halogens, X₂, furnishing [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₂X₂] (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 ), I ( 5 )), which are assigned a trans stereochemistry. Attempts to activate C? F bonds in the gold(III) derivative 2′ by reaction with Lewis acids under different conditions either failed or only gave complex mixtures. On the other hand, treatment of the gold(I) derivative 1′ with BF₃?OEt₂ under mild conditions cleanly afforded the carbonyl derivative [Au^I(CF₃)(CO)] ( 6 ), which can be isolated as an extremely moisture‐sensitive light yellow crystalline solid. In the solid state, each linear F₃C‐Au‐CO molecule weakly interacts with three symmetry‐related neighbors yielding an extended 3D network of aurophilic interactions (Au???Au=345.9(1) pm). The high $\tilde \nu $ _CO value (2194 cm^?1 in the solid state and 2180 cm^?1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution) denotes that CO is acting as a mainly σ‐donor ligand and confirms the role of the CF₃ group as an electron‐withdrawing ligand in organometallic chemistry. Compound 6 can be considered as a convenient synthon of the “Au^I(CF₃)” fragment, as it reacts with a number of neutral ligands L, giving rise to the corresponding [Au^I(CF₃)(L)] compounds (L=CNtBu ( 7 ), NCMe ( 8 ), py ( 9 ), tht ( 10 )).     

Photoinitiated Reactions of Haloperfluorocarbons with Gold(I) Organometallic Complexes: Perfluoroalkyl Gold(I) and Gold(III) Complexes

The study of perfluoroalkyl metal complexes is key to understand and improve metal-promoted perfluoroalkylation reactions. Herein, we report the synthesis of the first gold complexes with primary or secondary perfluoroalkyl ligands by photoinitiated reactions between Au^I organometallic complexes and iodoperfluoroalkanes. Complexes of the types LAuR_F (L=PPh₃ or N,N-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; R_F=n-C₄F₉, n-C₆F₁₃, i-C₃F₇, c-C₆F₁₁) and [Au(R_F)(Ar)I(PPh₃)] (Ar=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) have been isolated and characterized. Alkynes R_FC≡CR were formed by reaction of Ph₃PAuC≡CR (R=Ph, nHex) with IR_F (R_F=n-C₄F₉, i-C₃F₇). According to the evidences obtained, this transformation undergoes through a photoinitiated radical mechanism. Au^III complexes [Au(n-C₄F₉)(X)(Y)L] (X=Y=Cl, Br, I, Me; X=Me, Y=I) have been prepared or in situ generated, and their thermal or photochemical decomposition reactions have been studied.     

Heteroctanuclear Au4Ag4 Cluster Complexes of 4,5-Diethynylacridin-9-One with Luminescent Mechanochromism

Two heteroctanuclear Au₄Ag₄ cluster complexes of 4,5-diethynylacridin-9-one (H₂L) were prepared through the self-assembly reactions of [Au(tht)₂](CF₃SO₃), Ag(tht)(CF₃SO₃), H₂L and PPh₃ or PPh₂Py (2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine). The Au₄Ag₄ cluster consists of a [Au₄L₄]⁴⁻ and four [Ag(PPh₃)]⁺ or [Ag(PPh₂Py)]⁺ units with Au₄L₄ framework exhibiting a twisted paper clip structure. In CH₂Cl₂ solutions at ambient temperature, both compounds show ligand fluorescence at ca. 463 nm as well as phosphorescence at 650 nm for 1 and 630 nm for 2 resulting from admixture of ³IL (intraligand) of L ligand, ³LMCT (from L ligand to Au₄Ag₄) and ³MC (metal-cluster) triplet states. Crystals or crystalline powders manifest bright yellow-green phosphorescence with vibronic-structured emission bands at 530 (568sh) nm for complex 1 and 536 (576sh) nm for complex 2. Upon mechanical grinding, yellow-green emission in the crystalline state is dramatically converted to red luminescence centered at ca. 610 nm with a drastic redshift of the emission after crystal packing is destroyed.     

A hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster

The hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster [PPh₄]₂[Au₆(CF₃)₆Br₂(CO)₂] (4) has been obtained by spontaneous self-assembly of the following independent units: CF₃AuCO (1) and [PPh₄][Br(AuCF₃)₂] (3). The cyclo-Au₆ aggregate 4, in which the components are held together by unassisted, fairly strong aurophilic interactions (Au···Au ∼310 pm), exhibits a cyclohexane-like arrangement with chair conformation. These aurophilic interactions also result in significant ν(CO) lowering: from 2194 cm^–1 in the separate component 1 to 2171 cm^–1 in the mixed aggregate 4. Procedures to prepare the single-bridged dinuclear component 3 as well as the mononuclear derivative [PPh₄][CF₃AuBr] (2) are also reported.     

Heterometallic Complexes with Gold(I) Metalloligands: Self‐Assembly of Helical Dimers Stabilized by Weak Intermolecular Interactions and Solvophobic Effects

New gold(I) alkynyl metalloligands bpylC?CAuL, bpyl′C?CAuPPh₃, and PPN[Au(C?Cbpyl′)₂] (bpyl or bpyl′=2,2′‐bipyridin‐5‐yl or ?4‐yl, respectively; L=PMe_xPh_3?x (x=1–3), P(C₆H₃Me₂‐3,5)₃, PCy₃, XyNC) have been synthesized. Ligands bpylC?CH and metalloligands bpylC?CAuL (L=PPh₃, PMePh₂, PCy₃, CNXy) react with MX₂ (M=Fe, Zn, X=ClO₄; M=Co, X=BF₄) to give complexes [M(bpylC?CZ)₃]X₂ (Z=H or AuL). In most cases, these complexes are mixtures of fac and mer isomers in a statistical distribution, in both CH₂Cl₂ and MeCN. However, for L=PPh₃, the fac isomer is dominant in MeCN. NMR and ESI‐MS studies, together with the crystal structure of [Co(bpylC?CAuPPh₃)₃](BF₄)₂, suggest that this solvent dependence is originated by the formation of helical dimers between two fac complexes in MeCN. These dimers are stabilized by solvophobic effects and multiple intermolecular interactions. Complex [Fe(Ph₃PAuC?CbpdiylC?CAuPPh₃)₃](ClO₄)₂ (bpdiyl=2,2′‐bipyridin‐5,5′‐diyl) was obtained by reaction of three diauro diethynylbipyridines and Fe(ClO₄)₂.     

Homoleptic Gold Acetonitrile Complexes with Medium to Very Weakly Coordinating Counterions: Effect on Aurophilicity?

A series of gold acetonitrile complexes [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺[WCA]^? with weakly coordinating counterions (WCAs) was synthesized by the reaction of elemental gold and nitrosyl salts [NO]⁺[WCA]^? in acetonitrile ([WCA]^? = [GaCl₄]^?, [B(CF₃)₄]^?, [Al(OR^F)₄]^?; R^F = C(CF₃)₃). In the crystal structures, the [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺ units appeared as monomers, dimers, or chains. A clear correlation between the aurophilicity and the coordinating ability of counterions was observed, with more strongly coordinating WCAs leading to stronger aurophilic contacts (distances, C?N stretching frequencies of [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺ units). An attempt to prepare [Au(L)₂]⁺ units, even with less weakly basic solvents like CH₂Cl₂, led to decomposition of the [Al(OR^F)₄]^? anion and formation of [NO(CH₂Cl₂)₂]⁺[F(Al(OR^F)₃)₂]^?. All nitrosyl reagents [NO]⁺[WCA]^? were generated according to an optimized procedure and were thoroughly characterized by Raman and NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the to date unknown species [NO]⁺[B(CF₃)₃CN]^? was prepared. Its reaction with gold unexpectedly produced [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺[Au(NCB(CF₃)₃)₂]^?, in which the cyanoborate counterion acts as an anionic ligand itself. Interestingly, the auroborate anion [Au(NCB(CF₃)₃)₂]^? behaves as a weakly coordinating counterion, which becomes evident from the crystallographic data and the vibrational spectral characteristics of the [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺ cation in this complex. Ligand exchange in the only room temperature stable salt of this series, [Au(NCMe)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?, is facile and, for example, [Au(PPh₃)(NCMe)]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? can be selectively generated. This reactivity opens the possibility to generate various [AuL¹L²]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salts through consecutive ligand‐exchange reactions that offer access to a huge variety of Au^I complexes for gold catalysis.     

Neue arsinidenverbrückte Mehrkern-Clusterkomplexe des Ag und Au. Die Kristallstrukturen von [Ag14(AsPh)6Cl2(PR3)8], (PR3 = PEt3, PMenPr2, PnPr3), [M4(As4Ph4)2(PR3)4], (M = Ag,PR3 = PEt3, PnPr3; M = Au,PR3 = PnPr3), [Au10(AsPh)4(PhAsSiMe3)2(PnPr3)6]

New Arsinidene-bridged Multinuclear Cluster Complexes of Ag and Au. The Crystal Structures of [Ag₁₄(AsPh)₆Cl₂(PR₃)₈], (PR₃ = PEt₃, PMeⁿPr₂, PⁿPr₃), [M₄(As₄Ph₄)₂(PR₃)₄], (M = Ag, PR₃ = PEt₃, PⁿPr₃; M = Au, PR₃ = PⁿPr₃), [Au₁₀(AsPh)₄(PhAsSiMe₃)₂(PⁿPr₃)₆] The reaction of AgCl with PhAs(SiMe₃)₂ in presence of tertiary phosphines (PR₃) leads to arsinidene-bridged silver clusters with the composition [Ag₁₄(AsPh)₆Cl₂(PR₃)₈], (PR₃ = PEt₃ 1 , PMeⁿPr₂ 2 , PⁿPr₃ 3 ). Further it is possible to obtain the multinuclear complexes [Ag₄(As₄Ph₄)₂(PR₃)₄], (PR₃ = PEt₃ 4 , PMeⁿPr₂ 5 ). In analogy to that [PMe₃AuCl] reacts with PhAs(SiMe₃)₂ and PⁿPr₃ to form the compound [Au₄(As₄Ph₄)₂(PⁿPr₃)₄] 6 , which is isostructurell to 4 and 5 . The gold cluster [Au₁₀(AsPh)₄(PhAsSiMe₃)₂(PⁿPr₃)₆] 7 was obtained from the same solution. The structures were characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. (Crystallographic data see “Inhaltsübersicht”)     

Front Cover: Safe Entry to Ag(I)/Ag(III) Mixed Valence Salts Containing the Homoleptic Ag(III) Anion [Ag(CF3)4]− (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 19/2023)

The synthesis of Naumann's Ag^I/Ag^III mixed valence salt [Ag^I]⁺[Ag^III(CF₃)₄]⁻ ( Ag-1 ) is revisited. Ag-1 is now safely available in half gram scale upon 2e⁻ oxidation of AgF in presence of CF₃SiMe₃ and ambient air. In addition to its unprecedented crystallographic characterization, the use of Ag-1 to build the novel Ag^I/Ag^III salts [ Ag (bpy)₂] -1 , [ Ag (18-crown-6)₂] -1 , [ Ag -crypt-222] -1 and [ Ag (PCy₃)₂] -1 is herein reported, alongside their characterization by NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction (Sc-XRD) and elemental analysis (EA). The utility of the currently affordable Ag-1 in gold(I) catalysis was demonstrated by the excellent catalytic activity displayed by [{ Au (PPh₃)}₂(μ-Cl)] -1 and [ Au (PPh₃)] -1 in the 5-exo-dig cyclization of N-propargylbenzamide ( 2 ). These cationic Au^I catalysts are accessible from (PPh₃)AuCl and Ag-1 , and outperform the activity of the well-known benchmark catalyst (PPh₃)AuNTf₂.     

Unusual Metal–Metal Bonding in a Dinuclear Pt–Au Complex: Snapshot of a Transmetalation Process

The dinuclear Pt–Au complex [(CNC)(PPh₃)Pt Au(PPh₃)](ClO₄) ( 2 ) (CNC=2,6‐diphenylpyridinate) was prepared. Its crystal structure shows a rare metal–metal bonding situation, with very short Pt–Au and Au–C_ipso(CNC) distances and dissimilar Pt–C_ipso(CNC) bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra of 2 show the persistence of the Pt–Au bond in solution and the occurrence of unusual fluxional behavior involving the [Pt^II] and [Au^I] metal fragments. The [Pt^II]??? [Au^I] interaction has been thoroughly studied by means of DFT calculations. The observed bonding situation in 2 can be regarded as a model for an intermediate in a transmetalation process.     

Influence of the phosphine ligands in the 1H and 31P NMR behaviour of [(η3-allyl)Py(phophine)Cl] complexes

The ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra of (η³-allyl)Pt(PR₃)Cl] (PR₃ = PMe₃, PCy₃, P-t-Bu₃, P-n-Bu₃, PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂ and P(p-Tol)₃) complexes in chloroform have been studied. The results suggest that there is bonding interaction between the phosphine and the allyl group via central metal atom.     

Gold(I)-Gold(III)-4,4′-bpy-phosphine complexes: Synthesis and multinuclear NMR study

Silver assisted de-bromination gives [Au₂(dppm/dppe/dppa) (OTf)₂], which on reaction with 4,4′-bpy and gold(I) phosphines in CH₂Cl₂ medium, by the self assembly technique, leads to [(PPh₃)Au(4,4′-bpy)Au(PPh₃)], (1a–1d,2), [{Au₂(dppm/dppe/dppa)}{(4,4-bpy)Au(PPh₃)}₂](NO₃)₄, (3), [{Au₄(dppm/dppe/dppa)₂(4,4-bpy)₂}](OTf)_4, (4), [{(PPh₃)Au^I(4,4′-bpy)}₂Au^III(C₆F₅/Mes)](NO₃)₃, (5) [dppm/dppe/dppa =diphenyl phosphino-methane(a), –ethane(b), ammine(c), C₆F₅/Mes pentafluorophenyl/mesitylene]. The maximum molecular peak of the corresponding molecule is observed in the ESI mass spectrum. Ir spectra of the complexes show –C=C–, –C=N–, as well as phosphine, mesitylene and pentafluorophenyl stretching. The ¹H-NMR spectra as well as ³¹P(¹H)-NMR suggest solution stereochemistry, proton movement and phosphorus proton interaction. Considering all the moities there are a lot of carbon atoms in the molecule reflected by the ¹³C(H)-NMR spectrum. In the ¹H–¹H COSY spectrum of the present complexes and contour peaks in the ¹H–¹³C-HMQC spectrum, assign the solution structure and stereoretentive transformation in each step.     

The Effect of Hard and Soft Donors on Structural Motifs in (Isocyanide)gold(I) Complexes

Treatment of the (isocyanide)gold(I) species LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid in the presence of NaOMe yields the complexes [Au(4‐SC₆H₄CO₂H)L] in good yield. Reaction of LAuCl with 2‐HSQn (Qn=quinoline) and 2‐HSPy (Py=pyridine) under the same conditions provides the thiolato compounds [Au(2‐SQn)L] and [Au(2‐SPy)L], respectively. A structural investigation of the pyridylthiolato compound revealed chains of molecules with alternating medium and long Au−Au interactions. Treatment of this compound with HBF₄ results in the cationic species [Au(2‐HSPy)(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)]⁺ as the BF₄⁻ salt. The same product is obtained on reaction of [AuCl(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC)] with AgOTf followed by HSPy. Treatment of the gold(I) halide compounds LAuCl (L=^tBuNC, 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃NC) with potassium 1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2,5‐dithiolate (KSSSK) leads to the isolation of dinuclear thiolatogold complexes [(AuL)₂(SSS)]. These products go on to form insoluble polymers through loss of isocyanide on standing in solution. A single crystal of [{Au(^tBuNC)}₂(SSS)] was obtained and the subsequent structural analysis revealed one of the most complicated networks known based solely on aurophilic interactions. A good comparison to the ‘soft' S‐donation of the thiolato ligands was provided by the synthesis of a number of nitratogold(I)complexes with the anion bound through the ‘hard' O‐donor. Reaction of ⁱPrNC and CyNC with Au(tht)Cl provided the complexes [AuCl(ⁱPrNC)] and [AuCl(CyNC)], respectively. These compounds were found to yield the respective nitrato species [Au(NO₃)ⁱPrNC)] and [(Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] on treatment with AgNO₃. The nitrato complexes yielded single crystals enabling a structural investigation to be carried out. While [Au(NO₃)(CyNC)] has a more conventional structure with dimers aligned into strings with alternating short and long aurophilic bonding, [Au(NO₃)(ⁱPrNC)] has a unique structure based on strings of alternating, corner‐sharing Au₆ and Au₈ units with short Au−Au contacts in edge‐sharing Au₃ triangles.     

A Systematic Investigation of Coinage Metal Carbonyl Complexes Stabilized by Fluorinated Alkoxy Aluminates

The reaction of Cu^I, Ag^I, and Au^I salts with carbon monoxide in the presence of weakly coordinating anions led to known and structurally unknown non‐classical coinage metal carbonyl complexes [M(CO)_n][A] (A=fluorinated alkoxy aluminates). The coinage metal carbonyl complexes [Cu(CO)_n(CH₂Cl₂)_m]⁺[A]^? (n=1, 3; m=4?n), [Au₂(CO)₂Cl]⁺[A]^?, [(OC)_nM(A)] (M=Cu: n=2; Ag: n=1, 2) as well as [(OC)₃Cu???ClAl(OR^F)₃] and [(OC)Au???ClAl(OR^F)₃] were analyzed with X‐ray diffraction and partially IR and Raman spectroscopy. In addition to these structures, crystallographic and spectroscopic evidence for the existence of the tetracarbonyl complex [Cu(CO)₄]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) is presented; its formation was analyzed with the help of theoretical investigations and Born–Fajans–Haber cycles. We discuss the limits of structure determinations by routine X‐ray diffraction methods with respect to the C? O bond lengths and apply the experimental CO stretching frequencies for the prediction of bond lengths within the carbonyl ligand based on a correlation with calculated data. Moreover, we provide a simple explanation for the reported, partly confusing and scattered CO stretching frequencies of [Cu^I(CO)_n] units.     

Gold(I) and Palladium(II) Complexes Containing the Functionalized Ylides Triarylphosphonium Cyanomethylide or 2-Cyanoethylide (R3P=CHR′, R′=CN,CH2CN)

The coordination properties of ylides R₃P=CHCN and R₃P=CHCH₂CN were studied. Ylide R₃P=CHCN reacts with [AuCl(tht)] (molar ratio 1 : 1, tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to give [AuCl{CH(PPh₃)CN}] ( 1 ). Dinuclear complexes [(AuL)₂{μ-C(PR₃)CN}]ClO₄⋅nH₂O (n=1, L=PPh₃, R=Ph ( 2a ) or Tol (=4-MeC₆H₄) ( 2b ); n=0, R=Tol, L=P(pmp)₃ ( 2c ; pmp=4-MeOC₆H₄ or AsPh₃ ( 2d )) are the products of reactions between phosphonium salts (R₃PCH₂CN)ClO₄ (R=Ph or Tol) and [Au(acac)L] (molar ratio 1 : 3, L=PPh₃ or P(pmp)₃; acacH=acetylacetone). The reaction of [Au(acac)PPh₃] with (Ph₃PCH₂CH₂CN)ClO₄ (Au/P 2 – 5) gives the mononuclear complex [Au{CH(PPh₃)CH₂CN}(PPh₃)]ClO₄⋅0.5 H₂O ( 3 ). Complexes 2b or 2c react with [Au(acetone)L]ClO₄ (molar ratio 1 : 1, L=PPh₃ or P(pmp)₃), prepared in situ from [AuCl(L)] and AgClO₄ in acetone, to give the corresponding trinuclear derivatives [(AuL)₂{μ₃-{C(PTol₃)CN}(AuL)}](ClO₄)₂ (L=PPh₃ ( 4a ) or P(pmp)₃ ( 4b )]. We attempted unsuccessfully to prepare single crystals of 4a or 4b or of the triflate salt [{Au(PPh₃)}₂{μ₃-{C(PTol₃)CN}(AuPPh₃)}](TfO)₂⋅H₂O ( 4a′ ), obtained by reacting 4a with 2 equiv. of KCF₃SO₃. In complexes 2 and 4 , two new types of coordination of the ylides R₃P=CHCN are present. Attempts to coordinate three AuL groups to the N-atom of (R₃PCCN)⁻ induced by aurophilicity (see A and B ) were unsuccessful. The reaction between PdCl₂ and R₃P=CHCN (molar ratio 1 : 2) gives trans-[PdCl₂{CH(PTol₃)CN}₂] ( 5 ).     

Synthesis and Characterization of Intercluster Compounds Consisting of Various Gold Clusters and Differently Charged Keggin Anions

The crystal structures of five intercluster compounds consisting of gold clusters and Keggin anions have been determined by single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction: [Au₉(PPh₃)₈][PMo₁₂O₄₀] (P4/n, Z = 2, a = 24.0195(13), c = 13.6818(10) Å), [Au₉(PPh₃)₈][HSiMo₁₂O₄₀] (P4/n, Z = 2, a = 24.270(3), c = 13.752(2) Å), [Au₉(PPh₃)₈][H₃CoW₁₂O₄₀] (P4/n, Z = 2, a = 24.4776(16), c = 13.7759(13) Å), [Au₈(PPh₃)₈]₂[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] (Pbca, Z = 4, a = 36.269(4), b = 24.488(3), c = 38.612(4) Å) and (nBu₄N)[Au₉(Ptol₃)₈][SiMo₁₂O₄₀] (Cc, Z = 4, a = 24.832(5), b = 24.955(5), c = 40.096(8) Å, β = 106.744(3)°). In these compounds, the charges of the building blocks were varied. Altering the charge on the Keggin anion in combination with the [Au₉(PPh₃)₈]³⁺ cluster gave rise to isostructural compounds as the charge is compensated by protonation of the polyoxometalate anion. Varying the charge or the ligand type of the gold cluster led to compounds with a completely different packing principle.     

Gold(I) and Silver(I) Complexes of Diphosphacyclobutadiene Cobaltate Sandwich Anions

The synthesis and structural characterization of the first coordination compounds of bis(diphosphacyclobutadiene) cobaltate anions [M(P₂C₂R₂)₂]^? is described. Reactions of the new potassium salts [K(thf)₃{Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂tPent₂)₂}] ( 1 ) and [K(thf)₄{Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}] ( 2 ) with [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene), [AuCl(PPh₃)] and Ag[SbF₆] afforded the complexes [Au{Co(P₂C₂tPent₂)₂}(PMe₃)₂] ( 3 ), [Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 4 ), [Ag{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 5 ), [Au(PMe₃)₄][Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 6 ), [K([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂][Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 7 ), and [K([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂][M{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 8 : M=Au 9 : M=Ag) in moderate yields. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 , and 6 – 9 were elucidated by X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 4 – 9 were thoroughly characterized by ³¹P and ¹³C solid state NMR spectroscopy. The complexes [Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 4 ) and [Ag{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 5 ) exist as coordination polymers in the solid state. The linking mode between the monomeric units in the polymers is deduced. The soluble complexes 1 – 3 , 6 , and 7 were studied by multinuclear ¹H‐, ³¹P{¹H}‐, and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy in solution. Variable temperature NMR measurements of 3 and 6 in deuterated THF reveal the formation of equilibria between the ionic species [Au(PMe₃)₄]⁺, [Au(PMe₃)₂]⁺, [Co(P₂C₂R₂)₂]^?, and [Au{Co(P₂C₂R₂)₂}₂]^? (R=tPent and Ad).     

[Au(C6F5)3(PPh2H)]: A Precursor for the Synthesis of Gold(III) Phosphide Complexes

The covalent radius of Au ^I is about 0.07 Å smaller than that of Ag^I. This was determined from the crystal structures of the isostructural complexes [N(PPh₃)][{Au(C₆F₅)₃(μ-PPh₂)}₂M] (M=Au (structure shown in the picture), Ag). These mixed Au^III–M phosphides were synthesized from [Au(C₆F₅)₃(PPh₂H)], the first gold complex to contain a secondary phosphane.     

Polyfluorophenylgold(I) complexes

Neutral polyfluorophenyl complexes of the type RAuL and RAuL-LAuR and anionic complexes of the type [AuR₂]^? (R = 2,3,5,6-C₆F₄H, 2,4,6-C,F₃H₂, 3,6-C₆F₂H₃, 4-C₆ FH₄ or 3-CF₃C,H₄) are obtained by the reaction of ClAuL (L = PPh₃, P(cyclohexyl)₃, AsPh₃ or tetrahydrothiophen; L-L = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ or Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPPh₂) with an organolithium derivative and/or the replacement of the initial ligands L by other mono- or bi-dentate ligands.The outcome of the reaction of [AuR₂]^? with [Au(PCy₃)₂]⁺ (Cy = cyclohexyl), depends on the nature of the ligand R; thus with R = 3,6-C₆,F₂H₃ the product is [Au(PCy₃)₂][AuR₂], while with R = 2,4,6-C₆F₃H₂, the product is [Au(PCy₃)(2,4,6-C₆F₃H₂)].