A Robust Dimethylgold(III) Complex Stabilized by a 2-Pyridyl-2-pyrrolide Ligand

Reaction of isopropyl[(2-pyridyl)alkyl]amines such as N-isopropyl-N-2-methylpyridine or N-isopropyl-N-2-ethylpyridine with aque- ous solutions of NaAuCl4 led to the formation of [LAuCl2][AuCl4] in low yields, where L = pyridyl amine bound to gold in a bidentate fashion. Reaction of 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine with aqueous NaAuCl4, however, proceeded with formal loss of HCl and direct formation of the gold(III) amido complex L0AuCl2, where L0 = deprotonated pyrrolyl ligand. Optimization of the reaction con- ditions to make the new amido complex identified MeCN:H2O (1:2) as the best choice of solvent, affording product in 92% yield. This dichloro amido complex is a convenient precursor to L0AuMe2, which was found to be air-stable and thermally robust. Ó 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.