Crystal and molecular structures of two complexes of diphenyl(2-pyridyl)phosphine (L): [AuClL] and [Ag2Cl2L3]

Abstract

The reaction of the ligand diphenyl(2-pyridyl)phosphine (L) with HAuCl₄ and AgCl affords the complexes [AuClL] and [Ag₂Cl₂L₃] respectively. The crystal structures of these two complexes have been determined from four-circle diffractometer data; [AuClL] is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, with a= 11.774(3), b= 12.617(3), and 11.114(6)Å, Z= 4, and R= 0.052 for 1 358 observed reflections; [Ag₂Cl₂L₃] is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a= 14.599(3), b= 18.388(5), and c= 21.134(4)Å, β= 125.12(1)°, Z= 4, and R= 0.060 for 5 180 observed reflections. In the gold complex the phosphorus of L alone is bonded to the gold atom which assumes a linear geometry with Au–Cl 2.286(4)Å and Au–P 2.234(4)Å. The silver complex contains molecules in which two silver atoms are held together by two chloride bridges. One of the silver atoms is bonded to two L molecules through the phosphorus atom, while the other silver atom is bonded to a L molecule as well as loosely bonded to the nitrogen atom of one of the ligands co-ordinated to the first silver atom. The silver atoms assume a tetrahedral co-ordination with Ag–Cl 2.701(4), 2.618(8), 2.638(4), and 2.601(9)Å; Ag–P 2.432(3), 2.436(4), and 2.452(3)Å; and Ag–N 2.451(9)Å.