Synthesis and Structure of Gold and Platinum Menthyl Complexes

Gold(i)-doped films: new routes for efficient room temperature phosphorescent materials

The synthesis of four novel gold(i)-phosphane complexes coordinated to 9-phenanthrene chromophore has been carried out through the reaction of 9-phenanthreneboronic acid and the corresponding AuClPR₃ (PR₃ = PPh₃ for triphenylphosphane (1a); 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)butane or dppb (2b); bis(diphenylphosphanyl)acetylene or dppa (2c); (AuCl)₂(diphos) (diphos = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane or dppm (3)) sources. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1a and 2b show the existence of MOF-like intermolecular assemblies that contain empty inner cavities in the absence of aurophilic contacts. In contrast, the formation of a tetranuclear complex with intramolecular aurophilic interactions was evidenced for 3. Photophysical characterization indicates dual emission in all gold(i) complexes when oxygen is removed from the sample, while only fluorescence emission is recorded for the uncoordinated ligand. The introduction of the compounds within PMMA and Zeonex was assayed, and luminescent films containing gold(i) complexes where phosphorescence is the sole pathway for emission are obtained, instead of the dual emission (with significant fluorescence contribution) recorded in solution.

C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination from alkylgold(iii) fluoride complexes

Rare examples of C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination were observed from several cis-F(2)Au(R)(IPr) intermediates generated by oxidation of (IPr)AuR complexes with XeF(2). For R groups bearing β-hydrogens, β-hydride elimination was competitive with C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination. For strained cyclic R groups and most acyclic R groups lacking β-hydrogens, carbocation-like rearrangements occurred prior to C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination. Kinetics of the decay of one cis-F(2)Au(R)(IPr) species, stereochemical analysis of reductive elimination with a chiral R group, and DFT analysis collectively suggest C(sp(3))-F reductive elimination proceeding through transient cationic [(IPr)Au(F)(R)](+) intermediates with significant ionization of the Au-alkyl bonds.