Incorporation of coinage metal–NHC complexes into heptaphosphide clusters†
Abstract
Cu(I) and Au(I) ions, capped with an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), react with (TMS)3P7 (TMS = trimethyl-silyl) to afford an η4-coordinated anion [NHCDippCu–P7(TMS)]− and a neutral trinuclear complex (NHCDippAu)3P7. Protecting the P7 cage with the TMS groups is instrumental in controlling the course of these reactions.