(Ar–CO–CC)(PEt3)Au and (Ar–CC)(PEt3)Au complexes bearing pyrenyl and ferrocenyl groups: synthesis, structure, and luminescence properties

Abstract

Two types of (acetylide)(triethylphosphine)gold(I) complexes ArCOCCAuPEt₃ (1a and 1b) and ArCCAuPEt₃ (2a and 2b) bearing Ar = pyren-1-yl or ferrocenyl group were synthesized and the effect of a carbonyl moiety on the structure, propensity to ligand scrambling in solution and luminescence properties were investigated. We found that the complexes bearing acetylenic ketone-derived ligands underwent ligand scrambling in solution to afford mixtures of ArCOCCAuPEt₃ and [(ArCOCC)₂Au]⁻[Au(PEt₃)₂]⁺. The latter complexes were isolated and their structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The aurophilic interaction of Au⋯Au in these complexes resulted in the formation of wire-like structures.