Gold(III), Mercury(II), and Palladium(II) Complexes of a Series of Isomeric Bis(mono- and dialkoxyphenyl)pyridines: Introduction of Gold through Transmetalation and Catalysis

Alice Jane McEllin, Christopher A. Goult, Golam Mohiuddin, Liam J. Curtis, Theo F.N. Tanner, Adrian C. Whitwood, Jason M. Lynam*, Duncan W. Bruce*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A series of isomeric bis-2,6-(monoalkoxyphenyl)pyridine and bis-2,6-(dialkoxyphenyl)pyridine ligands were synthesized and characterized. In order to prepare their chlorogold(III) complexes, intermediate chloromercury(II) complexes were first prepared, but unlike observations from previous studies where they were obtained impure and at best in moderate yield, here pure complexes were synthesized, many in rather high yields. Depending on the substitution pattern of the alkoxy chains on the ligands, mono- and/or dimercurated complexes were obtained, characterized by 1H, 13C{1H}, and 199Hg NMR spectroscopy as well as, in several cases, by X-ray crystallography. Factors that may explain this unusual reactivity are discussed. In most cases, transmetalation to the related chlorogold(III) complex proceeded smoothly, although lower yields were obtained when starting from doubly mercurated precursors. Prompted by the propensity of these ligands to mercurate, attempts were made to effect direct auration, but none was successful. However, dimeric, orthometalated complexes of palladium(II) could be prepared and were also amenable to transmetalation to the chlorogold(III) complex, providing for a mercury-free synthesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7589-7603
Number of pages15
JournalInorganic Chemistry
Volume63
Issue number7
Early online date18 Apr 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Apr 2024

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© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.

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