The Role of N–H···Cl Hydrogen Bonds in Gold(I) Complexes with Aliphatic Amine Ligands

Crystal structures of five gold(I) complexes with methyl-piperidine ligands

In bis-(4-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) chloride, [Au(C6H13N)2]Cl (1), the methyl groups are, as expected, equatorial at the piperidine ring, but the Au atom is axial; this is the case for all five structures reported here, as is the expected linear coordination at the Au atom. Hydrogen bonding of the form N-H⋯Cl-⋯H-N leads to inversion-symmetric dimers, which are further connected by C-H⋯Au contacts. Bis(4-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) di-chlorido-aurate(I), [Au(C6H13N)2][AuCl2] (2), also forms inversion-symmetric dimers; these involve aurophilic inter-actions and three-centre hydrogen bonds of the form NH(⋯Cl)2. Bis(4-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) di-bromido-aurate(I), [Au(C6H13N)2][AuBr2] (3), is isotypic to 2. The 1:1 adduct chlorido-(4-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) bis-(4-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) chloride, [Au(C6H13N)2]Cl·[AuCl(C6H13N)] (4), crystallizes as its di-chloro-methane solvate. The asymmetric unit contains two formula units, in each of which the chloride anion accepts a hydrogen bond from the cation and from the neutral mol-ecule, and the two Au atoms are linked via an aurophilic inter-action. A further hydrogen bond leads to inversion-symmetric dimers. The asymmetric unit of bis-(2-methyl-piperidine-κN)gold(I) chloride, [Au(C6H13N)2]Cl (5), contains two 'half' cations, in which the Au atoms lie on twofold axes, and a chloride ion on a general position. Within each cation, the relative configurations at the atoms N and C2 (which bears the methyl substituent) are R,S. The twofold-symmetric dimer involves two N-H⋯Cl-⋯H-N units and an aurophilic contact between the two Au atoms.

Ligand-Promoted Iron-Catalyzed Nitrene Transfer for the Synthesis of Hydrazines and Triazanes through N-Amidation of Arylamines

Herein, we report that bulky alkylphosphines such as PtBu3 can switch the roles from actor to spectator ligands to promote the FeCl2 -catalyzed N-amidation reaction of arylamines with dioxazolones, giving hydrazides in high efficiency and chemoselectivity. Mechanistic studies indicated that the phosphine ligands could facilitate the decarboxylation of dioxazolones on the Fe center, and the hydrogen bonding interactions between the arylamines and the ligands on Fe nitrenoid intermediates might play a role in modulating the delicate interplay between the phosphine ligand, arylamine, and acyl nitrene N, favoring N-N coupling over N-P coupling. The new ligand-promoted N-amidation protocols offer a convenient way to access various challenging triazane compounds via double or sequential N-amidation of primary arylamines.

Crystal structures of the isotypic complexes bis-(morpholine)-gold(I) chloride and bis-(morpholine)-gold(I) bromide

The compounds bis-(morpholine-κN)gold(I) chloride, [Au(C4H9NO)2]Cl, 1, and bis-(morpholine-κN)gold(I) bromide, [Au(C4H9NO)2]Br, 2, crystallize isotypically in space group C2/c with Z = 4. The gold atoms, which are axially positioned at the morpholine rings, lie on inversion centres (so that the N-Au-N coordination is exactly linear) and the halide anions on twofold axes. The residues are connected by a classical hydrogen bond N-H⋯halide and by a short gold⋯halide contact to form a layer structure parallel to the bc plane. The morpholine oxygen atom is not involved in classical hydrogen bonding.

Crystal structures of five halido gold complexes involving piperidine or pyrrolidine as ligands or (protonated) as cations

In bromido-(pyrrolidine-κN)gold(I) bis-(pyrrolidine-κN)gold(I) bromide, [AuBr(pyr)]·[Au(pyr)2]Br (pyr = pyrrolidine, C4H9N), 2, alternating [AuBr(pyr)] mol-ecules and [Au(pyr)2]+ cations are connected by aurophilic contacts to form infinite chains of residues parallel to the b axis. The chains are cross-linked by three N-H⋯Br- hydrogen bonds and an Au⋯Br contact to form a layer structure parallel to the ab plane. Tri-chlorido-(piperidine-κN)gold(III), [AuCl3(pip)] (pip = piperidine, C5H11N), 3, consists of mol-ecules with the expected square-planar coordination at the gold atom, which are connected by an N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bond and an Au⋯Cl contact to form a layer structure parallel to the ac plane. The structures of bis-(piperidinium) tetra-chlorido-aurate(III) chloride, (pipH)2[AuCl4]Cl, 4, and bis-(pyrrolidinium) tetra-bromido-aurate(III) bromide, (pyrH)2[AuBr4]Br, 6, are closely related but not isotypic. Compound 6 crystallizes in space group Ibam; the Au and two Br atoms of the anion lie in the mirror plane x, y, 0, whereas the bromide ions occupy special positions 0, 0.5, 0 and 0, 0.5, 0.25, with site symmetry 2/m. The NH2 group forms a hydrogen bond to one bromide ion, and also a three-centre hydrogen bond to the other bromide atom and to a metal-bonded Br atom. The packing involves chains of hydrogen-bonded pyrrolidinium and bromide ions parallel to the c axis, combined with a layer structure of [AuBr4]- and bromide anions, parallel to the ab plane and involving Au⋯Br and Br⋯Br contacts. Compound 4, however, crystallizes pseudosymmetrically in space group Iba2; two chlorine atoms of the anion lie on the twofold axis 0.5, 0.5, z, and there are two independent cations. The packing is closely similar to that of 6, but there are no N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds to metal-bonded chlorines. The contact distances Au⋯Cl are appreciably longer than their Au⋯Br counterparts in 6, whereas the Cl⋯Cl contact is much shorter than Br⋯Br in 6. Tri-bromido-(piperidine-κN)gold(III) crystallizes as its di-chloro-methane solvate, [AuBr3(pip)]·CH2Cl2, 7. It too displays a square-planar coordination at the gold atom. The packing involves hydrogen bonds N-H⋯Br, stacking of neighbouring AuBr3 units by Au⋯Br contacts, and a short Br⋯Br contact; these combine to form a layer structure parallel to the ac plane.

Aminkomplexe des Goldes, Teil 10: Gold(I)-thiocyanat-Komplexe mit Tetrahydrothiophen, Dimethylsulfid, Ammoniak, Aminen und Azaaromatena

The reaction of (tht)AuCl (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) with KSCN leads to a mixture of gold(I) thiocyanate AuSCN and [(tht)2Au]+ [Au(SCN)2]− 1. The compounds were separated and the X-ray structure of 1 confirmed as an alternating chain of anions and cations linked by aurophilic contacts. Either pure AuSCN or the mixture was used to synthesize further derivatives of AuSCN, all of which were investigated by X-ray methods. Most products were of limited stability when removed from their mother liquor. The dimethyl sulfide derivative 2 is molecular, (Me2S)AuSCN; the ammonia derivative 3 is ionic, [(NH3)2Au]+ [Au(SCN)2]−. The reaction with 2,2-bipyridyl leads (presumably by involvement of the solvent or of atmospheric moisture) to [bipy-H]+ [Au(SCN)2]− 13. All other products involve amines or azaaromatics as ligands L. The primary amine tert-butylamine forms an ionic product [L2Au]+ (SCN)− 4. The secondary amines piperidine and dibenzylamine lead to molecular structures LAuSCN (5 and 6), whereas pyridine-based azaaromatics lead to ionic products [L2Au]+ [Au(SCN)2]− with L=2-, 3- or 4-picoline (7–9), 2,4-, 3,4- or 3,5-lutidine (10–12). The 3,4-lutidine derivative 11 forms two polymorphs that tend to form mixed crystals. The dominant features of the crystal packing for 7–12 are short aurophilic interactions.

Aminkomplexe des Goldes, Teil 9: Gold(I)-halogenid-Komplexe mit primären und azyklischen sekundären Aminen und ihre Oxidation zu Gold(III)-Derivaten

The reaction of (tht)AuX (X=Cl or Br; tht=tetrahydrothiophene) with various primary amines L leads to products of the form [L2Au]+X−. Packing diagrams of the corresponding structures are dominated by N–H···X hydrogen bonds and (in some cases) aurophilic contacts. The cyclohexylamine derivative was already known as its dichloromethane ⅔-solvate; we have isolated the solvent-free compound and its pentane ¼-solvate, which all show different packing patterns. With acyclic secondary amines, the products are more varied; LAuX and [L2Au]+[AuX2]− were also found. These gold(I) products were generally formed in satisfactory quantities. The attempted oxidation to Au(III) derivatives with PhICl2 or Br2 proved impossible for the primary amine derivatives [although isopropylamine-trichloridogold(III) was obtained unexpectedly from the corresponding cyanide] and unsatisfactory for the secondary amine derivatives. Products LAuX3 and [L2AuX2]+[AuX4]− were identified but were formed in disappointing yields. In isolated cases protonated products (LH)+[AuCl4]−, (LH+)3[AuCl4]−(Cl−)2 or [(Et2N)2CH]+[AuBr4]− were formed, presumably by involvement of the dichloromethane solvent and/or adventitious water. Here also the yields were poor, and some products arose as mixtures. Direct reaction of amines with AuCl3 or (tht)AuX3 was also unsuccessful. All products were characterized by X-ray structure analysis.

Highly active group 11 metal complexes with α-hydrazidophosphonate ligands

Unprecedented α-hydrazidophosphonate group 11 metal complexes have been prepared, with various coordination modes of ligands to metal atoms. They present an excellent cytotoxic activity in HeLa (cervical carcinoma) and A549 (lung carcinoma) cell lines, with IC₅₀values among the lowest found in silver or copper complexes.

Facile synthesis of gold nanoparticles with narrow size distribution by using AuCl or AuBr as the precursor

Gold(I) halides, including AuCl and AuBr, were employed for the first time as precursors in the synthesis of Au nanoparticles. The synthesis was accomplished by dissolving Au(I) halides in chloroform in the presence of alkylamines, followed by decomposition at 60 degrees C. The relative low stability of the Au(I) halides and there derivatives eliminated the need for a reducing agent, which is usually required for Au(III)-based precursors to generate Au nanoparticles. Controlled growth of Au nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution was achieved when AuCl and oleylamine were used for the synthesis. FTIR and mass spectra revealed that a complex, [AuCl(oleylamine)], was formed through coordination between oleylamine and AuCl. Thermolysis of the complex in chloroform led to the formation of dioleylamine and Au nanoparticles. When oleylamine was replaced with octadecylamine, much larger nanoparticles were obtained due to the lower stability of [AuCl(octadecylamine)] complex relative to [AuCl(oleylamine)]. Au nanoparticles can also be prepared from AuBr through thermolysis of the [AuBr(oleylamine)] complex. Due to the oxidative etching effect caused by Br(-), the nanoparticles obtained from AuBr exhibited an aspect ratio of 1.28, in contrast to 1.0 for the particles made from AuCl. Compared to the existing methods for preparing Au nanoparticles through the reduction of Au(III) compounds, this new approach based on Au(I) halides offers great flexibility in terms of size control.

Photocatalysis and solar hydrogen production

Photocatalytic water splitting is a challenging reaction because it is an ultimate solution to energy and environmental issues. Recently, many new powdered photocatalysts for water splitting have been developed. For example, a NiO (0.2 wt %)/NaTaO3:La (2 %) photocatalyst with a 4.1-eV band gap showed high activity for water splitting into H2 and O2 with an apparent quantum yield of 56 % at 270 nm. Overall water splitting under visible light irradiation has been achieved by construction of a Z-scheme photocatalysis system employing visible-light-driven photocatalysts, Ru/SrTiO3:Rh and BiVO4 for H2 and O2 evolution, and an Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple as an electron relay. Moreover, highly efficient sulfide photocatalysts for solar hydrogen production in the presence of electron donors were developed by making solid solutions of ZnS with AgInS2 and CuInS2 of narrow band gap semiconductors. Thus, the database of powdered photocatalysts for water splitting has become plentiful.

Effects of diphosphine structure on aurophilicity and luminescence in Au(i) complexes

The effects of diphosphine flexibility and bite angle on the structures and luminescence properties of Au(I) complexes have been investigated. A range of diphosphines based on heteroaromatic backbones [bis(2-diphenylphosphino)phenylether (dpephos), 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene (xantphos), and 4,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)dibenzofuran (dbfphos)] has been used to prepare mono- and digold derivatives. A clear relationship between the presence of aurophilic contacts and the emission properties of dinuclear complexes has been observed, with one of the complexes studied, [Au(2)Cl(2)(micro-xantphos)], exhibiting luminescence thermochromism.