Anionic and zwitterionic carboranyl N-heterocyclic carbene Au(i) complexes.

The syntheses of the first carboranyl N-heterocyclic carbene complexes with transition metals are reported. Both unsymmetrical mono-anionic and symmetrical dianionic NHCs readily react with ClAuSMe2 to afford unusual zwitterionic and anionic Au(i) dimethyl sulfide adducts. The compounds are characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Percent buried volume (%Vbur) calculations indicate that replacement of an adamantyl group by a hydride substituted icosahedral carborane anion results in a 3.7% increase in %Vbur.