Cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene gold(I) complexes: A synthetic and structural investigation

A series of mono- and dicarbene gold(I) complexes of types Au(CAAC)(Cl) [CAAC = cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] (1) and [Au(CAAC)2]+[X]− (X = Cl, AuCl2) (2) have been prepared through reaction of AuCl(SMe2) with free carbenes a–e, and structurally characterized by single X-ray diffraction studies (1a, 1b, 2d, 2e). In addition two new free cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (c and e) have been synthesized.

The steric hindrance and the flexibility of the carbene carbon substituents of CAACs have a dramatic effect on the synthetic outcome of the complexation reactions at gold centers.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide