Solid state and solution investigations of derivatives of Group 11 metal ions with 1-benzyl-2-imidazolyldiphenylphosphine (L). Electrochemical behavior of [M2L3](2+) (M = Cu-I; Ag-I) and [AuL2](+) complexes

The molecular crystal structure of (Bzim)Ph2P = L = 1-benzyl-2-imidazolyldi phenylphosphine (monoclinic; space group P2(1)/c # 14; a = 9.054(2), b = 9. 394(3), c = 21.677(8) Angstrom; beta = 94.52(2)degrees; Z = 4) is reported here. This new P,N ligand reacts with Cu-1 or Ag-1 metal ions to give [M2L3 ](2+) dinuclear complexes where the bihapto ligand always bridges the metal centers. When L was added to [Au2L2](2+) complex the dinuclear gold cycle underwent a cleavage and the mononuclear species [AuL2](+) was obtained. Th e solution behavior of the complexes was investigated by H-1 and P-31 NMR a t variable temperature, showing neither dissociative nor equilibrium reacti ons. The strong coordinating ability of the (Bzim)Ph2P ligand was also indi cated by cyclic voltammetry investigation and the electrogenerated Ag(0) ne utral complex, namely [Ag-2(mu-(Bzim)Ph2P)(3)], was detected as transient c ompound. The molecular crystal structure of [Cu-2(mu-(Bzim)Ph2P)(3)][BF4](2 ) is also reported (monoclinic; space group P2(1)/n # 14; a = 19.413(9), b = 19.81(1), c = 21.678(7) Angstrom; beta = 115.51(2)degrees; Z = 4). (C) 20 01 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.