Ligand scrambling reactions of cyano(thione)gold(I) complexes and determination of their equilibrium constants

Abstract

Ligand scrambling reactions in cyano(thione)gold(I) complexes ([>C=S-Au-CN]) to form [Au(>C=S)2]+ and [Au(CN)2]– species have been investigated for a series of thiones in DMSO using 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy. Rapid approach to equilibrium occurred and resulted in distinct signals for the [>C=S-Au-CN] and [Au(CN)2]– complexes, both in 13C and 15N NMR. Equilibrium constants (Keq) were determined for scrambling of all the complexes by integrating the CN resonances in the 13C NMR recorded at 298 K. The influence of various factors (initial concentration, ionic strength, temperature, and solvent polarity) on the Keq value was examined for a representative complex (ImtAuCN (Imt = Imidazolidine-2-thione)).Key words: cyanogold(I) complexes, thiones, ligand scrambling, NMR, Keq.