Organonitrile ligated silver complexes with perfluorinated weakly coordinating anions and their catalytic application for coupling reactions

Abstract

Homogeneous catalytic processes mediated by silver(I) complexes are relatively rare. This work describes the synthesis and characterization of acetonitrile ligated silver salts with three weakly coordinating anions [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, [B{C₆H₃(CF₃)₂}₄]⁻ and [(C₆F₅)₃B–C₃H₄N₂–B(C₆F₅)₃]⁻. The silver cation is coordinated either by four or by two acetonitrile ligands. All examined Ag(I) complexes show catalytic activity in coupling reactions of terminal alkynes with aldehydes and amines.