Synthesis of some μ-hydroxo-, phenoxo- and O,O-acetylacetonato-arylgold(III) complexes. Crystal structure of [Au(C6H4NO2 - 2) 2(μ-OH)]2 · 2Et2O

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(95)05772-H

A new synthesis of cis-Me₄N[Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)₂Cl₂] (1) is reported, involving the reaction of [Hg(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)Cl] with Me₄N[AuCl₄] in the presence of Me₄NCl. Reaction of 1 with NaOPh or with Tlacac (acac = acetylacetonate) in the presence of NaClO₄ yields Na[Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)₂(OPh)₂] (2) or cis-[Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)₂(O,O-acac)] (3), respectively. Complex 3 reacts with PPh₃ to give trans-[Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)₂(C-acac)(PPh₃)] (4). Treatment of 2 in acetone with NaOH gives [Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2)₂(μ-OH)]₂ (5), which is also formed when a solution of 2 in CHCl₃/hexane is exposed to water. The crystal structure of 5 · 2Et₂O shows that it is a centrosymmetric dimer with two hydroxo groups bridging two Au(C₆H₄NO₂ - 2) moieties. The features of the structure include short Au-C bond distances (1.992(5) A, 1.995(5) A) and hydrogen bonding between the bridging OH groups and diethyl ether molecules.