Dichlorogold(III) complexes of bis(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)ketone and related ligands: Geometrical and electronic structures

Complexes of the title ligands with [AuCl2]+ show metal binding to the imine nitrogen atoms of the imidazole groups to yield six-membered chelate ring structures. A comparison of the complexes with the now structurally characterized “bik” ligand shows no unusual coordination effects, the electrochemical reduction of the complex ion [(bik)AuCl2]+ is Au/Cl centered in agreement with DFT calculation results.