Abstract
A series of Au(I)–Cu(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) halide complexes [AuCu2(im(CH2py)2)2X]2+ where X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3) was prepared by refluxing [AuCu2(im(CH2py)2)2(NCCH3)4]3+ with the appropriate halide in acetonitrile. The compounds were characterized by NMR, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. They feature similar solution behavior and solid-state photoemissions. The solid-state structures feature a rhomboidal [AuCu2X]2+ core which is influenced by the type of halide. Compared to other Au(I)–Cu(I) NHC complexes, 1–3 comprise a new structural motif containing a bridging halide. The benzimidazolium analog of 1 was also characterized crystallographically. The structure of [AuCu2(benzim(CH2py)2)2Cl]2+(4) features different coordination modes of the NHC ligands with the carbenic carbon bonded to both gold and copper and the pyridyl groups bonded to the same copper(I) ion.
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Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.