Synthesis and reactivity of [Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)] (R = H, Me). X-Ray structure of [Ag{Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)(PPh3)}(2)][ClO4]

The reaction of Li(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N) with [AuCl(PPh3)] leads to the mononucle ar complexes [Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)] (R = H, Me). These react further wi th other copper, silver or gold compounds to give heteronuclear derivatives , [M{Au(2-CH2-6-RC5H3N)(PPh3)}(2)][X] (M = Cu, X = PF6 or M = Ag, X = ClO4) , or the dinuclear complex [Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)](2). The crystal structure of [Ag{Au(2-CH2-6-MeC5H3N)(PPh3)}(2)][ClO4] has been determined by X-ray di ffraction studies and shows short interactions between the gold and silver centres.