Synthesis of novel gold(I) complexes derived by AgCl-elimination between [AuCl(PPh3)] and silver(I) heterocyclic carboxylates, and their antimicrobial activities. Molecular structure of [Au(R,S-Hpyrrld)(PPh3)] (H2pyrrld = 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid)

Novel gold(I) complexes with hard (O donor) and soft (P donor) Lewis bases, [Au(R,S-Hpyrrld)(PPh3)] · CHCl31 (H2pyrrld = 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid) and [Au(R,S-othf)(PPh3)] 2 (Hothf = 5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid), were prepared by the AgCl elimination reaction in CHCl3 between [AuCl(PPh3)] and the Ag–O bonding precursors such as [Ag2(R-Hpyrrld)(S-Hpyrrld)] and [Ag2(R-othf)(S-othf)]. Molecular structure of 1 was determined as a discrete monomer of the 2-coordinate AuOP core. In the preparation of 1 and 2, the use of the Ag–O bonding precursors is crucial. Both complexes 1 and 2 showed selective antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts.

Graphical abstractNovel gold(I) complexes, [Au(R,S-Hpyrrld)(PPh3)] · CHCl31 (H2pyrrld = 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid) and [Au(R,S-othf)(PPh3)] 2 (Hothf = 5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid), were prepared, structurally characterized, and their antimicrobial activities were tested.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide