Synthesis of a Coordinatively Labile Gold(III) Methyl Complex

Stable and isolable cyclometalated monomethyl Au(III) complexes are readily available from the precursor (tpy)Au(Me)Cl, prepared from (tpy)AuCl2 and excess SnMe4. Reaction of (tpy)Au(Me)Cl with suitable silver salts generates (tpy)Au(Me)(X) (X = OAc, OTf). Ligand exchange reactions with (tpy)Au(Me)(OTf) provide the cationic monomethyl Au(III) adducts [(tpy)Au(Me)(L)][OTf] (L = PPh3, THT).