Binuclear gold(I) complexes with bridging diisocyanides and X-ray structures of [Au(tBuNC)(CN)], [Au2(dmb)(CN)2] and [Au2(tmb)(CN)2] (tmb=2,5-diisocyano-2,5-dimethylhexane; dmb=1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane)

The synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of [Au(tBuNC)(CN)], [Au2(dmb)(CN)2] (dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) and [Au2(tmb)(CN)2] (tmb=2,5-diisocyano-2,5-dimethylhexane) are described. [Au(tBuNC)(CN)]: space group Pnma, a=13.437(1), b=6.469(1), c=9.823(1) A, Z=4, R=0.055 for 673 observed Mo Kα data; [Au2(dmb)(CN)2]: space group P21/c, a=7.024(2), b=15.255(2), c=15.565(2) A, β=101.33(2), Z=4, R=0.050 for 2137 observed Mo Kα data; [Au2(tmb)(CN)2]: space group Pbcn, a=15.629(3), b=9.222(4), c=22.777(3), Z=8, R=0.036 for 1127 Mo Kα data. The intermolecular Au…Au separations are 3.568, 3.49-3.73 and 3.21 A for crystals of [Au(tBuNC)(CN)], [Au2(dmb)(CN)2] and [Au2(tmb)(CN)2], respectively. [Au2(tmb)2]2+ and [Au2(dmb)2]2+ have also been synthesized by the reaction of Au(I) with the diisocyanide ligand. Their UV-Vis spectra are compared and discussed.