Some new complexes containing gold–iron bonds

Abstract

The preparation of the new complexes LAuFe(CO)₃NO and Ph₃PAuFe(CO)₂(NO)L′ is reported [L =(MeO)₃P,Me₃P, Ph(C₆H₁₁)₂P, Ph₂(C₆H₁₁)P, Ph₃P, (p-ClC₆H₄)₃P, and (p-MeC₆H₄)₃P; L′=(PhO)₃P, and PhEt₂As]. It is suggested that they are isostructural with Ph₃PAuCo(CO)₄ with an approximately linear L–Au–Fe–L′ system, and trigonal bipyramidal co-ordination about the iron atom. The i.r. spectra of the compounds are consistent with this proposal. In donor solvent LAuFe(CO)₃NO and Ph₃PAuFe(CO)₂(NO)P(OPh)₃ dissociate reversibly to the [Fe(CO)₃NO]^– and [Fe(CO)₂(NO)P(OPh)₃]^– ions respectively. Similar behaviour has been observed for Ph₃PAuCo(CO)₄ but not for Ph₃PAuFe(CO)₂(NO)PPh₃, Ph₃PAuFe(CO)₂(NO)AsEt₂Ph, or Ph₃PAuCo(CO)₃PPh₃.