Synthesis, structural characterization, and photophysical studies of hexanuclear gold(I) chalcogenido complexes

Abstract

A hexanuclear gold(I) selenido cluster and its sulfido counterpart, [Au6{μ-Ph2PN(CH2-o-Py)PPh2}3(μ3-E)2](ClO4)2 (E = S, Se), with bridging bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands were synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of the selenido cluster was determined, with the gold core possessing a distorted heterocubane structure. Intramolecular aurophilic interactions with short Au(I)⋯Au(I) contacts of around 3.09–3.13 Å were observed. The complexes were found to emit strongly in the solid state with orange to red emission colors. Their electronic absorption and emission properties were also investigated.