A Robust Dimethylgold(III) Complex Stabilized by a 2-Pyridyl-2-pyrrolide Ligand.

Reaction of isopropyl[(2-pyridyl)alkyl]amines such as N-isopropyl-N-2-methylpyridine or N-isopropyl-N-2-ethylpyridine with aqueous solutions of NaAuCl(4) led to the formation of [LAuCl(2)][AuCl(4)] in low yields, where L = pyridyl amine bound to gold in a bidentate fashion. Reaction of 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine with aqueous NaAuCl(4), however, proceeded with formal loss of HCl and direct formation of the gold(III) amido complex L'AuCl(2), where L' = deprotonated pyrrolyl ligand. Optimization of the reaction conditions to make the new amido complex identified MeCN:H(2)O (1:2) as the best choice of solvent, affording product in 92 % yield. This dichloro amido complex is a convenient precursor to L'AuMe(2), which was found to be air-stable and thermally robust.