Photoluminescent properties and molecular structures of [NaphAu(PPh3)] and [mu-Naph {Au(PPh3)}(2)] ClO4 (Naph=2-naphthyl)

The complexes [NaphAu(PPh3)], 1 and [mu-Naph {Au(PPh3)}(2)]ClO4, 2 having the Au-C (aromatic) bond have been synthesized and characterized. The unique structure of 2 with two gold atoms bridged by a naphthyl group has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The intramolecular Au-Au separation in 2 is 2.7731(4) angstrom. Upon excitation at 266 nm, both complexes display intraligand phosphorescence at room temperature in solution and in solid state.