Nonanuclear zinc-gold [Zn3Au6] heterobimetallic complexes

Nonanuclear zinc-gold heterobimetallic complexes were synthesized in a two-step process. Commercially available carboxy-functionalized phosphine ligands were used for selective binding to Zn and Au centers. In the first step, bipyridine coordinated Zn-metalloligands with free phosphine moieties were prepared. Reaction of Zn-metalloligands with [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) resulted in the formation of nonanuclear Zn-Au heterobimetallic complexes. The flexibility of the carboxy-functionalized phosphine ligands was shown to be crucial for the formation of aurophilic interactions. Further, the photoluminescence of the Zn-metalloligands and one Zn-Au complex was investigated at room temperature as well as 77 K. The emission spectra showed clear difference between the Zn-metalloligands and the Zn-Au complex.

Automated summary

Nonanuclear zinc-gold heterobimetallic complexes were synthesized in a two-step process using carboxy-functionalized phosphine ligands. The flexibility of the ligands was crucial for aurophilic interactions, and the photoluminescence showed clear differences between the Zn-metalloligands and the Zn-Au complex.