Gold(II) Trichloride Complex from Diclofenac-Gold(III) Precursor

In the conditions of electrospray ionization, a diclofenac-gold complex, namely the ion [DIC-H+AuCl3](-) (DIC stands for diclofenac), was generated. According to the calculations, the most stable is the O-Au bond-containing structure. By subjecting the anion [DIC-H+AuCl3](-) to the collision-induced dissociation, the loss of [DIC](.) radical occurred and the open shell anion [AuCl3](-) was formed with the unprecedentedly high efficiency. The observed gas-phase behavior of the Au(III)-diclofenac complex was analogical to that of the diclofenac complexes with metals (Fe(III) and Cu(II)), which are easily reduced in the gas phase, although the process Au(III)-> Au(II) is rather unusual.

Automated summary

Under electrospray ionization conditions, a diclofenac-gold complex [DIC-H+AuCl3](-) was generated in the gas phase. By subjecting this complex to collision-induced dissociation, the loss of [DIC](.) radical occurred, forming the open shell anion [AuCl3](-) with high efficiency, similar to the behavior of diclofenac complexes with metals like Fe(III) and Cu(II). Although the process of Au(III)-> Au(II) is uncommon, it was observed in this study.