Gold chemistry with ferrocene derivatives as ligands

Abstract

The synthesis and properties of gold complexes with 1,1′- bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf), its sulfide (dppfS2) and disubstituted dithiocarbamate or thiolate ferrocene derivatives as ligands are reviewed. The ability of these metalloligands to modify their steric bite in order to adapt to different geometric requirements of the metal centres has allowed the synthesis of several gold complexes with unusual geometries and novel structures. The potential of the new compounds for a number of applications is considered.