Photoreactivity of gold complexes

The light sensitivity of gold compounds has been known since 1737. More rec ent observations have led to a deeper understanding of the photochemistry o f gold complexes, which are discussed on the basis of selected examples. Li ght sensitive Au(I) and Au(III) compounds are classified according to the n ature of reactive excited states: metal-centered (MC), ligand-to-metal char ge transfer (LMCT), metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) and intraligand (IL). Accordingly, some basic inform ation on the electronic spectra of gold complexes including luminescence sp ectra is provided. The photochemistry is described in more detail. Essentia lly, our own observations are reported but some relevant observations of ot her groups are also included. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.