A hybrid bipy–NHC ligand for the construction of group 11 mixed-metal bimetallic complexes

Benson M Kariuki,James A Platts,Paul D Newman

doi:10.1039/d1ra06581e

Abstract

An asymmetric bipy/NHC ligand L has been used to construct Au/Au, Au/Ag and Au/Cu bimetallic complexes through prior coordination of the NHC to Au(i) and subsequent introduction of the second group 11 metal ion at the bipy donor of the hybrid ligand. The complex [Au(κC-L)2]BF4,1, has been used as the precursor for the formation of [AuAg(κ-CAu,κ2-N,N′Ag-1)2](BF4)2, 2a, [AuCu(κ-CAu,κ2-N,N′Cu-1)2](BF4)2, 2b and [AuAu′(κ-CAu/Au′,κ1-NAu/Au′-1)2](BF4)2, 3.

Highlights

Bimetallic complexes have many interesting applications in elds such as medicinal chemistry, materials science and catalysis.[1]
We have extended this chemistry to the synthesis of an amidiniumfunctionalised bipy derivative with the express intention of forming mixed metal bimetallics and we detail our initial studies here
The ligand has been designed with the latent Nheterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) function at the 6-position to enable controlled formation of discrete bimetallic complexes and encourage, within the context of this article, close M/M0 contacts

Summary

Introduction

Bimetallic complexes have many interesting applications in elds such as medicinal chemistry, materials science and catalysis.[1]. An asymmetric bipy/NHC ligand L has been used to construct Au/Au, Au/Ag and Au/Cu bimetallic complexes through prior coordination of the NHC to Au(I) and subsequent introduction of the second group 11 metal ion at the bipy donor of the hybrid ligand. The masked ligand synthesis has been described previously.[18] The ligand has been designed with the latent NHC function at the 6-position to enable controlled formation of discrete bimetallic complexes and encourage, within the context of this article, close M/M0 contacts.

Results

Conclusion