(Ar-CO-C C)(PEt3)Au and (Ar-C C)(PEt3)Au complexes bearing pyrenyl and ferrocenyl groups: synthesis, structure, and luminescence properties

Two types of (acetylide)(triethylphosphine)gold(i) complexes ArCOC CAuPEt3 (1a and 1b) and ArC CAuPEt3 (2a and 2b) bearing Ar = pyren-1-yl or ferrocenyl group were synthesized and the effect of a carbonyl moiety on the structure, propensity to ligand scrambling in solution and luminescence properties were investigated. We found that the complexes bearing acetylenic ketone-derived ligands underwent ligand scrambling in solution to afford mixtures of ArCOC CAuPEt3 and [(ArCOC C)(2)Au](-)[Au(PEt3)(2)](+). The latter complexes were isolated and their structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The aurophilic interaction of Au center dot center dot center dot Au in these complexes resulted in the formation of wire-like structures.