Auration, Argentation, and Mercuration Reactions of an Iridaphosphirene

The reactions of the iridaphosphirene complex [Ir{C(tBu)P(Cy)}(CO)(PPh3)2] (Cy = cyclohexyl) with either [AuCl(tht)]
(tht = tetrahydrothiophene) or AgCl result in the products [Ir{C(tBu)P[M(Cl)](Cy)}(CO)(PPh3)2], M = Au or Ag.
The aurated product can additionally be obtained on reaction of the iridaphosphirene with [AuCl(CNtBu)], via loss
of the isocyanide ligand. Treatment of [Ir{C(tBu)P(Cy)}(CO)(PPh3)2] with [AuCl(PPh3)] in the presence of silver
triflate leads to the isolation of the salt, [Ir{C(tBu)P[Au(PPh3)](Cy)}(CO)(PPh3)2][SO3CF3]. Reaction of the
iridaphosphirene with PhHgCl in the absence or presence of silver triflate affords the mercurated species [Ir{C(tBu)P[Hg(Ph)](Cy)}(CO)(PPh3)2]X, X = Cl or CF3SO3, respectively. The former exhibits a weakly mercury-coordinated
chloride ion. The X-ray crystal structures of all of the complexes are described.