Versatile Methods for Preparation of New Cyclometalated Gold(III) Complexes

Versatile methods for the high-yield syntheses of new cyclometalated gold(III) complexes are described. Mono- or dialkylated or arylated gold(III) complexes are selectively obtained from reaction of Au(OCOCF3)(2)(tpy) (tpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine) with either RMgX or RLi, respectively. Specifically, AuMe2(tpy) and AuPh2(tpy) were prepared with the respective lithium reagents, and AuBrMe(tpy), AuBrEt(tpy), and AuBrPh(tpy) were prepared with Grignard reagents. The molecular structures of compounds Au(OCOCF3)(2)(tpy) and AuMe2(tpy) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.