PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF CHLOROCARBONYL GOLD(I)

The complex Au(CO)Cl shows a long wavelength absorption at lambda(max) = 250 nm which is assigned to a metal-centered ds transition. In the solid state this excited ds state is emissive (lambda(max) = 663 nm) w hile in solution it is reactive. It is suggested that CO is released i n the primary photochemical step. In CH2Cl2 the photolysis of Au(CO)Cl leads finally to a disproportionation with the formation of AuCl3 and metallic gold. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.