Phosphine-gold(I) derivatives of 1,1′-bis(alkynyl)metallocenes: Molecular structures of Fc’(CCX)2 [X = Au(PPh3), SiMe3] and Au4{(CC)2Fc’}2(PPh3)2 [Fc’ = Fe(η-C5H4-)2]

Desilylation of Fc’(CCSiMe3)2 [1; Fc’ = Fe(η-C5H4−)2] with LiMe or KOH/MeOH, followed by addition of AuCl(PR3), afforded Fc’{CCAu(PR3)}2 [R = Ph 2a, tol 2b]; the Ru analogue of 2a was also prepared. The XRD structures of 1 and 2a are reported. In the presence of CuI, a similar reaction over 2 h afforded the Au4 cluster Au4{(CC)2Fc’}2(PPh3)23. The X-ray determined structure of 3 showed a planar centrosymmetric Au4 rhomb, two opposed Au atoms being σ-bonded to the CC group, while the other two Au atoms are each η2-bonded to the CC group and a PPh3 ligand.

Graphical abstractThe novel cluster complex Au4{(CC)2Fc’}2(PPh3)23 has been obtained by desilylation of Fc’(CCSiMe3)2 [Fc’ = Fe(η-C5H4–)2] with LiMe or KOH/MeOH, followed by addition of AuCl(PR3) in the presence of CuI.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide