Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of gold complexes with pyridine-based selone ligands

Three neutral pyridine-based selone compounds, 2,6-bis(1-methylimidazole-2-selone)pyridine (Bmsp), 2,6-bis(1-ethylimidazole-2-selone)pyridine (Besp) and 2,6-bis(1-isopropylimidazole-2-selone)pyridine (Bpsp) have been synthesized and characterized. Reactions of HAuCl4 with pyridine-based selone ligands result in the formation of the complexes [Au(L)Cl-2](+)[AuCl2] (L = Bmsp (1); L = Besp (2) and L = Bpsp (3)), respectively. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR IR spectra and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopic (ESI-MS). The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Moreover, the gold complexes are efficiently catalyzed nitroarenes reduction to aromatic amines in the presence of sodium tetrahydroborate reducing agent in water. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.