The direct electrochemical synthesis of triphenylphosphine adducts of Group IB monohalides

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of copper, silver, or gold into acetonitrile solutions of benzyl chloride or hydrogen halide plus triphenylphosphine leads to the formation of the adducts MXL n (M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = Cl, Br, I; L = Ph 3 P; n = 1, 1.5, 2; not all combinations). The value of n depends markedly on the mole ratio Ph 3 P:dissolved metal. The reaction pathway is discussed in the light of measurements of current efficiency. The results of X-ray structural studies of AuCl•L and AuClL 2 are briefly reported.