Synthesis and reactivity of [Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)] (R 4;= 4;H, Me). X-Ray structure of [Ag{Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)(PPh3)}2][ClO4]

The reaction of Li(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N) with [AuCl(PPh3)] leads to the mononuclear complexes [Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)] (R 4;= 4;H, Me). These react further with other copper, silver or gold compounds to give heteronuclear derivatives, [M{Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)}2][X] (M 4;= 4;Cu, X 4;= 4;PF6 or M 4;= 4;Ag, X 4;= 4;ClO4), or the dinuclear complex [Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)]2. The crystal structure of [Ag{Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)(PPh3)}2][ClO4] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies and shows short interactions between the gold and silver centres.