A Dinuclear Au(I) Complex with a Pyrene-di-N-heterocyclic Carbene Linker: Supramolecular and Catalytic Studies

A digold(I) complex with a pyrene-di-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand has been obtained and fully characterized. The host-guest properties of the complex were studied in chloroform with a series of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the association constants were determined. The affinity increases with the size of the PAH, with a maximum binding constant of 105 M-1 for the aggregation with coronene. The catalytic activity of the complex was tested in the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with three different amines. The studies showed that the addition of coronene to the reaction medium produces an enhancement of about 20-30% in the activity of the complex.