Luminescent phosphinocrown-containing gold(I) complexes: Their syntheses, spectroscopic studies and host-guest chemistry

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.ica.2005.03.033

A series of phosphinocrown ether-containing gold(I) complexes, [Au(Ph ₂P-b15c5)Cl] (1), [Au₂(μ-i-mnt)(Ph₂P-b15c5) ₂] (2) and [Au₂(μ-dtc)(Ph₂P-b15c5) ₂](PF₆) (3) (b15c5 = benzo-15-crown-5, i-mnt^2- = 1,1-dicyanoethylene-2,2-dithiolate, dtc^- = diethyldithiocarbamate) have been synthesized. Complexes 2 and 3·NaPF₆ have also been structurally characterized. The emission bands at ca. 500-515 nm for 2 and 3 upon photo-excitation are tentatively assigned as derived from excited states of S → Au ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) origin. These complexes have been shown to serve as host for the specific binding of various metal cations.