Liquid–liquid extraction of palladium(II) and gold(III) with N-benzoyl-N′,N′-diethylthiourea and the synthesis of a palladium benzoylthiourea complex

N-Benzoylthioureas have been reported to form complexes with gold (III) and palladium (II) and other transition metals. In this study, an N-benzoyl-N′,N′-diethylthiourea (3f) ligand was used in the solvent extraction of palladium(II) and gold(III) from aqueous chloride media (0.1 mol l−1 NaCl). The distribution coefficient was determined as a function of both metal concentration in the aqueous phase and extractant concentration in the organic phase. The experimental distribution data were numerically analysed by letagrop-distr software in order to obtain the thermodynamic model corresponding to the metal extraction. It is found that pH does not affect the metal extraction process in the 1–2 pH range. Synthesis of the palladium benzoyl thiourea complexes was carried out by mixing quantities of metal and ligand solutions in methanol in a 1:2 ratio stoichiometric. Yields of 74 and 80.9% were obtained for the Pd-3c and Pd-3f complexes. In order to confirm the formation of the palladium complexes, NMR, FTIR and MS analyses were performed. From MS analyses a complex stoichiometry 1:2 (metal:ligand) was confirmed. The formation of crystals of palladium N-benzoyl-N′,N′-diethylthiourea complex (Pd-3f) in the methanolic solution allows the characterisation of the complex structure by XRD. The resulting structure is described and discussed. Bis(1,1,-diheptadecyl-3-benzoyl-thioureate)palladium(II) (Pd-3c) and bis(1,1,-diheptadecyl-3-benzoyl-thioureate)palladium(II) (Pd-3f) were used as ionophores in polymeric membrane electrodes. Their potentiometric responses to different anionic metal chlorocomplexes are evaluated and discussed taking into consideration the results obtained in the liquid–liquid distribution studies. A nernstian response was only obtained for AuCl4 − (PDL=8.8×10−8) and PdCl4 2− (PDL=1.5×10−4 M) with a selectivity coefficient of KAuCl4-, PdCl42−pot=−3.4, calculated taking AuCl4 − as being the primary anion.     

Synthesis, 13C NMR and IR spectroscopic studies of gold(I) complexes of imidazolidine-2-thione and its derivatives

The gold(I) complexes of imidazolidine-2-thione and its derivatives were synthesized and their ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopic studies were carried out. When gold(III) was reacted with the ligands using a 1:4 metal to ligand ratio, gold(III) was reduced to gold(I), the bis complexes of the general formula AuL_nX (where n = 2) were formed. However, when gold(III) was reduced to gold(I) by a reducing agent followed by an addition of the ligand to an aqueous or methanolic solution of gold(I), only mono complexes of the type AuLX were obtained. The structures of the reported complexes are proposed on the basis of their spectroscopic measurements.     

Studies on Cu(II) ternary complexes involving an aminopenicillin drug and imidazole containing ligands

Equilibrium studies on the ternary complex systems involving ampicillin (amp) as ligand (A) and imidazole containing ligands viz., imidazole (Him), benzimidazole (Hbim), histamine (Hist) and histidine (His) as ligands (B) at 37 °C and I = 0.15 mol dm^?3 (NaClO₄) show the presence of CuABH, CuAB and CuAB₂. The proton in the CuABH species is attached to ligand A. In the ternary complexes the ligand, amp(A) binds the metal ion via amino nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atom. The CuAB (B = Hist/His)/CuAB₂ (B = Him/Hbim) species have also been isolated and the analytical data confirmed its formation. Non-electrolytic behavior and monomeric type of chelates have been assessed from their low conductance and magnetic susceptibility values. The electronic and vibrational spectral results were interpreted to find the mode of binding of ligands to metal and geometry of the complexes. This is also supported by the g tensor values calculated from ESR spectra. The thermal behaviour of complexes were studied by TGA/DTA. The redox behavior of the complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The antimicrobial activity and CT DNA cleavage study of the complexes show higher activity for ternary complexes.     

Diphosphines and pyrazole/pyrazolate-type ligands as building blocks in luminescent Au(I) complexes

A series of gold(I) complexes containing diphenylphosphine bridging ligands, dppm, dppe, dpephos, dbfphos and biphep and co-ligands of the type pyrazole have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of [Au₂(μ-dpephos)(μ-pz^2CH3)][PF₆], [Au₂(μ-dbfphos)(μ-pz^2CH3)][PF₆], and of the starting compound [Au₂Cl₂(μ-biphep)] indicate that the structural and stoichiometric characteristics of the new complexes depend on the diphosphine ligand. The three complexes show Au?Au contacts between 3.27 Å and 3.30 Å, with that of the biphep compound being the shortest. Digold (I)-diphosphine derivatives with a bridging pyrazolate ligand are obtained in all cases, except when [Au₂Cl₂(μ-biphep)] is used as starting material. Surprisingly, in this case, two monodentate neutral pyrazole ligands are attached to the gold atoms. The new complexes are luminescent in the solid state at 77 K and in solution both at room temperature and 77 K. Low energy emission bands related to the presence of Au?Au interactions have been identified in some of the compounds in the solid state and/or in solution.     

Synthesis,characterization, biological applications,and molecular docking studies of amino-phenol-derived mixed-ligand complexes with Fe(III), Cr(III), and La(III) ions

A new series of Fe(III), Cr(III), and La(III) mixed-ligand complexes, resulting from the interaction of 2-aminophenol with 2-hydroxy acetophenone (HL₁) as primary ligand and L- histidine (L₂) as a secondary ligand, has been investigated using various physicochemical studies such as elemental analyses, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, infrared, UV/Vis, ¹H NMR, and mass spectroscopic techniques. The microanalytical results indicate that the mixed ligand complexes were designed in a 1:1:1 M ratio. The electronic spectral data indicated that all the synthesized complexes have an octahedral structure. The disc diffusion assay was used to determine the disc inhibition zone (IZ, mm) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, g/mL) of the investigated compounds against the growth of the pathogenic bacterial strains S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., and E. coli. The MTT test was used to determine the cytotoxicity of these reported compounds against the human hepatocellular liver cancer (HEPG-2) cell lines. The molecular docking study for the compounds against the EGFR tyrosine kinase receptor (PDB code: 1 M17) was conducted to examine the interactions in protein–ligand complexes. Furthermore, the biological activity of the ligand was investigated using quantitative structure–activity relationship studies (QSAR).     

Cyclometalated complexes containing ferrocenyl Schiff base: Preparation,characterization, DFT calculations,application in cancer and biological researches and MOE studies

A series of transition metal (II/III) complexes containing organometallic Schiff base ligand (H₂L) had been synthesized and characterized by using elemental analysis (C, H, N, M), molar conductivity, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and mass spectral analysis. Also, their TG and DTG behaviors were investigated. The ligand was prepared by condensation of 4-aminosalicylic acid with 2-acetylferrocene in 1:1 M ratio. The data of elemental analysis indicated that the prepared complexes were synthesized also in a 1:1 M ratio. The ligand behaved as neutral bidentate ligand that coordinated to metal ions through protonated O-phenolic and protonated carboxylic-OH groups. All complexes had octahedral structure. DFT calculations for H₂L ligand were determined with some parameters such as HOMO-LUMO energy gab, electronegativity and chemical hardness–softness. Antimicrobial activity of both H₂L Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes was tested against different strains of bacteria and fungi species. Furthermore, all compounds had been screened for their anticancer activities against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line. [Cu(H₂L)(H₂O)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O complex had the lowest IC₅₀ value = 47.3 µg/mL. For determining the more effective and probable binding mode between the H₂L ligand, Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes with different active sites of 4K3V, 2YLB and 3DJD receptors, so molecular docking studies were investigated.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of Mn(II) and Co(II) metal complexes of a tridentate Schiff's base ligand and their biological activities

We have used the condensation method to synthesize 2-acetyl-5-methylsemicarbazone ligand. Manganese(II) and Cobalt(II) complexes having formula [ML₂]X₂ were synthesized where M = Mn(II) and Co(II), L = ligand, X = Cl⁻, CH₃COO⁻, NO₃⁻, ½SO₄²⁻. The characterization data suggests the octahedral geometry for all the synthesized complexes. Tridentate nature of the 2-acetyl-5-methylsemicarbazone ligand was revealed by IR studies. Molar conductance analysis suggested the electrolytic nature of the complexes. The theoretical study includes geometrical optimization, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, energetic parameters and dipole moment. These results also confirmed the tridentate nature of the ligand and the octahedral geometry of complexes. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) study suggested the reactive sites for an electrophilic or nucleophilic attack in the ligand. We tested the synthesized compounds for their antifungal and antibacterial action via well diffusion method and found that parent ligand after the coordination with the metal ion showed more effective inhibition against bacteria and fungi.     

Synthesis,characterization of Uranyl(VI), Th(IV), Zr(IV) mixed-ligand complexes with S-methyl-2-(4-methoxybenzylidine)dithiocarbazate and N-donor co-ligand,and their evaluation as antimicrobial agent

Schiff base, S-methyl-2-(4-methoxybenzylidine) dithiocarbazate as a primary ligand (HL₁), quinoline (L₂) as a co-ligand, and hydrated metal salts have been reacted in ethanol in 1:2:1 M ratio to produce mixed-ligand complexes of the type, [M(L₁)(L₂)].NO₃ [M = Uranyl(VI), Th(VI), Zr(IV)], The isolated products have been structurally investigated by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, IR and UV–Vis studies. The electronic studies shows octahedral geometry for all the studied complexes, whereas the molar conductance data suggest an ionic nature. Density functional computation (DFT) studies are also carried out in order to determine the bonding inside the structure of the complexes. The studied mixed-ligand complexes showed moderate antibacterial activity when evaluated against four pathogenic bacteria: Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus subtilis, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Escherichia coli. In addition, molecular docking analysis for all the complexes, using the CLC Drug Discovery Workbench software, showed that they virtually docked on S. dysenteriae, B. subtilis, A. tumefaciens, and E. coli.     

Complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbenes with bowl-shaped wingtips

Three imidazolium salts having their two N-substituents equipped with remote calix[4]arenyl termini have been synthesised and converted into N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of the type [PdCl₂(NHC)(pyridine)]. An X-ray diffraction study carried out for one of the complexes, namely, trans-[1,3-bis(4-{25,26,27,28-tetrapropyloxycalix[4]aren-5-yl}phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene](pyridine)palladium(II) dichloride, revealed that in the solid state the complex crystallises as a self-assembled dimer, its components being held together by dispersion forces involving the polyphenoxy units, the pyridine ligands and phenylene rings. This structure provides a new example of the diversity of interactions that may occur in NHC complexes of catalytic relevance, which are thus not limited to intramolecular ones. There was no spectroscopic indication that such interactions also occur in solution.     

Cross-coupling of arene–gold(III) complexes

The reactivity of electron-deficient arene–gold(III) complexes toward nucleophilic aromatic and heteroaromatic counterparts has been studied. 1-Methylindole proved to be the best reaction partner while trimethoxybenzenes did not react. The ancillary ligand on gold also influenced the reactivity in the order PPh₃>P^tBu₃>IPr. An oxidative cross-coupling starting from the corresponding gold(I) complexes in presence of hypervalent iodide oxidants was also studied.     

Potentiometric and conductometric studies of malonyl bis(salicyloylhydrazone) and divalent metal complexes

A series of complexes of divalent transition metal ions with malonyl bis(salicyloylhydrazone) (H₄MSH) have been prepared and characterized with the help of conductometric, potentiometric methods. The proton–ligand and metal–ligand stability constants were obtained pH-metrically. The electrical conductivity of solid complexes was measured at 289 K. The low molar conductance values observed for these complexes indicate that, they are non-electrolytes. They are soluble to a limited extent in DMF and DMSO. The elemental analyses of the complexes indicate that the complexes have 1:1 and 2:1 (M:L) stoichiometry with the existence of water, chloride, acetone molecules inside the coordination sphere as evidence from the IR spectral studies. Further, the complexes have been formulated by comparing C, H, N & metal analysis data, and UV–visible spectra of the complexes have been discussed. The protonation constants of the ligand and the stability constants of their metal complexes will be evaluated potentiometrically. The stoichiometric ratios of the complexes formed in solution will be evaluated applying the molar ratio (spectrophotometric) method and confirmed conductometrically.     

Lanthanide complexes derived from hexadentate macrocyclic ligand: Synthesis,spectroscopic and thermal investigation

The lanthanide complexes derived from (3,5,13,15-tetramethyl 2,6,12,16,21-22-hexaazatricyclo[15.3.I^1-17I^7-11]cosa-1(21),2,5,7,9,11(22),12,15,17,19-decane) were synthesized. The complexes were found to have general composition [Ln(L)X₂·H₂O]X, where Ln = La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ and X = NO₃^? and Cl^?. The ligand was characterized by elemental analyses, IR, Mass, and ¹H NMR spectral studies. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, Mass, electronic spectral techniques and thermal studies. The ligand acts as a hexadentate and coordinates through four nitrogen atoms of azomethine groups and two nitrogen of pyridine ring. The lanthanum complexes are diamagnetic while the other Ln(III) complexes are paramagnetic. The spectral parameters i.e. nephelauxetic ratio (β), covalency factor (b^1/2), Sinha parameter (δ%) and covalency angular overlap parameter (η) have been calculated from absorption spectra of Nd(III) and Sm(III) complexes. These parameters suggest the metal–ligand covalent bonding. In the present study, the complexes were found to have coordination number nine.     

Synthesis and in vitro antimalarial and antitubercular activity of gold(III) complexes containing thiosemicarbazone ligands

Gold(III) thiosemicarbazone complexes derived from [Au(damp-C¹,N)Cl₂] (2), where damp = dimeth-ylaminoethylphenyl, have been synthesized. The compounds were characterised using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The gold complexes were screened for in vitro antimalarial and antitubercular activity. Although incorporation of the gold(III) centre into thiosemicarbazone scaffolds enhanced their efficacy against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, this trend was not observed for the antitubercular activity of selected thiosemicarbazones against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulent strain H₃₇Rv.     

Synthesis,characterisation and biological activity of cycloaurated organogold(III) complexes with imidate ligands

The reactions of the cycloaurated gold(III) complexes (2-bp)AuCl₂ (2-bp = 2-benzylpyridyl) or (damp)AuCl₂ (damp = Me₂NCH₂C₆H₄) with an excess of sodium saccharinate (Nasacc), potassium phthalimidate (Kphth), or with isatin and trimethylamine in refluxing methanol results in the successful isolation of a series of new gold(III) imidate complexes. These were characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopies, and by X-ray structure determinations on (2-bp)Au(sacc)₂ and (2-bp)Au(phth)₂. In both structures, the planes of the saccharinate and the phthalimidate ligands are orientated almost perpendicular to the gold coordination plane. As expected from trans-influence considerations, the Au–N_(imidate) bond lengths trans to the aryl carbon atoms are longer than the Au–N_(imidate) bond lengths trans to the pyridyl groups. The complexes have also been characterised by electrospray ionisation MS; in the presence of halide ligands, one imidate ligand is readily displaced. Anti-tumour (P388 murine leukemia) and selected anti-microbial data for the new complexes are reported. Surprisingly, all three damp complexes had low anti-tumour activity, which is likely to be a consequence of the poor solubility of these complexes. The synthesis and characterisation of a related gold(III) bis(amidate) complex derived from sulfathiazole is also described.     

Molecular docking analysis and spectroscopic investigations of zinc(II), nickel(II) N-phthaloyl-β-alanine complexes for DNA binding: Evaluation of antibacterial and antitumor activities

Herein, computational molecular docking, UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques have been used to explore the DNA binding interactions of N-phthaloyl-β-alanine (NPA) ligand and its Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes (NPAZn, NPANi). The compounds were further tested for anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activities. Docking analysis depicted that ligand NPA interacted with DNA via intercalation, while its metal complexes showed mixed mode of interactions. Spectroscopic experiments for DNA binding studies were run under physiological conditions of pH (stomach; 4.7, blood; 7.4) and temperature (37 °C). Based on changes in spectral responses, binding parameters for all the compounds were obtained which showed comparatively greater binding constant values (K_b: UV; 1.16 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, Flu; 1.35 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) and more negative free energy changes (ΔG: UV; −30.00 kJ mol⁻¹, Flu; −30.44 kJ mol⁻¹) for NPAZn at pH 4.7. The overall, binding results were also found more significant at stomach pH. Dynamic “K_D” and bimolecular “K_B” constants were evaluated, and the values affirmed the participation of static process for each compound–DNA binding. The greater binding site size values (n > 1) of metal complexes NPAZn and NPANi indicated other sites availability of intercalative compounds. DNA viscosity variation by increasing compound’s concentration further verified the compound–DNA interaction. Antibacterial and tumor inhibitory activities were observed significant for both metal complexes, while ligand has shown no activity. The greater binding affinity of metal complexes, as evaluated both computationally and spectroscopically, further validated the lower IC50 values of complexes as compared to ligand.     

Theoretical study of the geometry and electronic structure of the trinuclear [AunAgm (HNCOH)3] (m + n = 3) complex

The structures and properties of different gold and silver mixed-metal trinuclear complexes, [Au_nAg_m(HNCOH)₃] (m + n = 3), were investigated theoretically. The computed properties were compared with those of the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The geometries of all complexes were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory using the GEN basis set. The optimization results revealed that the most stable structures of pure Au and Ag complexes are almost similar. In addition, all complexes are flat and highly symmetric. It was shown that the silver substitution had a significant influence on the electronic properties. The metal–metal distances were in the order of: Au–Au < Au–Ag < Ag–Ag. The ionization potential and hardness were found to be decreased while the electron affinity, HOMO–LUMO gap and chemical potential were found to be increased from the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] to the [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex was the least reactive in the studied series with the electronic chemical potential equal to −3.98 eV. On the other hand, the value of the chemical potential characterizing the most reactive complex, [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃], was −3.80 eV.     

Yldiide Ligands as Building Blocks for Polynuclear Coinage Metal Complexes: Metal Squares,Triangles and Chains

Yldiides have unique electronic properties and donor abilities, but as ligands in transition metal complexes they are scarcely represented in the literature. Here, the controlled synthesis of a series of polynuclear gold yldiide complexes derived from triphenyl(cyanomethyl)phosphonium bromide, [Ph₃PCH₂CN]Br, under mild conditions is described. Anionic dinuclear NBu₄[(AuX)₂{C(CN)PPh₃}] (X=Cl, C₆F₅) or trinuclear derivatives NBu₄[Au₃X₂{C(CN)PPh₃}] bearing terminal chloride or pentafluorophenyl groups and bridging yldiide ligands have been prepared. These compounds evolve in solution giving rise to the formation of an unprecedented tetrameric gold cluster, [Au₄{C(CN)PPh₃}₄], by the loss of the gold complex NBu₄[AuX₂]. This gold cluster can also be prepared in high yield by a transmetalation reaction from the analogous tetrameric silver cluster, and two geometric isomers have been characterised, their formation dependent on the synthetic route. The triphenylphosphonium cyanomethyldiide ligand has also been used to build different dinuclear and trinuclear cationic complexes bearing phosphine or diphosphine ancillary ligands and bridging yldiide moieties. Further coordination through the cyano group of the yldiide ligand gives heterometallic trinuclear or pentanuclear derivatives. Structural characterisation of many of these compounds reveals the presence of complex molecular systems stabilised by gold⋅⋅⋅gold interactions and bridging yldiide ligands.     

Spectroscopic,biological activity studies,and DFT calculations,of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 4-Methylene-3-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinazoline-2(1H)-thione

Four palladium (II) and platinum(II) complexes with the formula [MCl₂(HPhqS)₂] and [M(PhqS)₂] (M^II = Pd and Pt), were synthesized by treating Na₂PdCl₄ or K₂PtCl₄ with 2 mol of 4-Methylene-3-phenyl-3,4-dihydroquinazoline-2(1H)-thione (HPhqS) with or without the present base. The geometry around the Pd(II) and Pt(II) ions was a square planner and the HPhqS ligand was bonded as monodentate through the sulfur atom in complexes (1) and (2), while as bidentate chelating ligand through the nitrogen and sulfur atoms in complexes (3) and (4) as revealed by the data collection from spectroscopic studies. The prepared compounds were fully characterized by different physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the free HPhqS ligand and its complexes were evaluated in vitro in regard to their antimicrobial activity against five bacteria species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, staphylococcus epidermidis and staphylococcus aureus). Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of the compounds was examined against breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines, and the [PdCl₂(LH)₂] (1) and [PtCl₂(LH)₂] (2) appeared a highest inhibitory effect against MCF-7 cell lines with IC₅₀ = 4.291 ± 0.181 μM and 3.479 ± 0.162 μM, respectively, in comparison to the standard control and other complexes. The prepared ligand accompanied by the synthesized complexes were optimized using B3LYP method and 6–311++G(d,p) biases sets for the ligand and SDD basis set for the central metal. Different quantum parameters including electron affinity, ionization energy, dipole moment, hardness and vibrational frequencies were calculated for the ligand and its complexes. The total energy calculated for the two tautomeric structures of the ligand HPhqS showed a slightly higher value of the thione form over the thiol form. In addition, the trans-[PdCl₂(HPhqS)₂] complex possessed the highest dipole moment values while the cis-[PtCl₂(HPhqS)₂] showed non. In general, the obtained theoretical results showed a good match to the experimental findings.     

Titanocene complexes of the N-methyl and N-phenyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolates and 4,5-diselenolate ligands

Cp₂Ti(dithiolene) and Cp₂Ti(diselenolene) complexes containing the N-methyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate ligand (Me-thiazdt), the N-phenyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate ligand (Ph-thiazdt) and the N-methyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-diselenolate ligand (Me-thiazds) have been synthesized. Three approaches have been developed in order to generate the dithiolene or the diselenolene ligands which were reacted with Cp₂TiCl₂ to form the corresponding heteroleptic complexes. Their X-ray crystal structures, UV-Vis absorption spectra as well as their redox properties, determined by cyclic voltammetry have been investigated and discussed. Variable-temperature ¹H NMR experiments have been performed in order to determine the activation energies of the chelate ring inversion.     

Coordination chemistry of gold(II) with amidinate,thiolate and ylide ligands

Various reagents such as Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, benzoyl peroxide and CH₃I add to the dinuclear gold(I) amidinate complex [Au₂(2,6-Me₂Ph-form)₂] to form oxidative-addition gold(II) metal–metal bonded complexes. The gold–gold distance in the dinuclear complex decreases upon oxidative-addition with halogens from 2.7 to 2.5 Å, similar to observations made with dithiolate and ylide ligands. The sodium salt of the guanidinate Hhpp ligand, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine reacts with (THT)AuCl in THF or CH₂Cl₂ to form a Au(II) complex, [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂], either by solvent oxidation or disproportionation of the Au(I) to Au(II) and the metal. Density functional theory (DFT) and MP2 calculations on [Au₂(hpp)₂Cl₂] find that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is predominately hpp and chlorine-based with some Au–Au δ* character. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) has metal-to-ligand (M–L) and metal-to-metal (M–M) σ* character (approximately 50% hpp/chlorine, and 50% gold). The charge-transfer character of the deeply colored solutions is observed in all the oxidative-addition products of the dinuclear gold(II) nitrogen ligands. This contrasts with the colors of the gold(II) ylide oxidative-addition products which are pale yellow. The colors of the crystalline gold(II) nitrogen complexes are dark orange to brown. This review will focus on the chemistry of gold(II) with nitrogen ligands and compare this with the well reviewed chemistry of gold(II) thiolate and ylide complexes.