Organogold(III) complexes containing chelating bis(amidate) ligands: Synthesis,characterisation and biological activity

Reactions of cycloaurated gold(III) dichloride complexes, with 1,2-C₆H₄(NHCOMe)₂ and silver(I) oxide, or with C₂H₄(NHSO₂Tol)₂ (Tol = p-tolyl) or 1,2-C₆H₄(NHSO₂Tol)₂ and trimethylamine, give a series of new auracyclic complexes containing the Au–NR–CH₂CH₂–NR (R = SO₂Tol) and Au–NR–C₆H₄–NR (R = COMe or SO₂Tol) five-membered ring systems. An X-ray structure determination on (2-bp)Au{N(COMe)C₆H₄N(COMe)} (2-bp = cycloaurated 2-benzylpyridine) shows the presence of puckered metallacyclic rings, with both acetyl substituents positioned below the Au(III) coordination plane. The complex (2-bp)Au{N(COMe)C₆H₄N(COMe)} undergoes ring cleavage in the presence of halide and water, to give the complex (2-bp)Au{N(COMe)C₆H₄NH(COMe)}Cl, which was characterised crystallographically, and shown to contain a monodentate amidate ligand. Biological activity studies of the new auracyclic complexes are also reported, against P388 murine leukaemia cells and a range of bacteria and fungi, with a number of complexes showing high activity.