Group 11 <i>m</i>-Terphenyl Complexes Featuring Metallophilic Interactions

A series of group 11 m-terphenyl complexes have been synthesized via a metathesis reaction from the iron(II) (2,6-Mes2C6H3)2Fe and (2,6-Xyl2C6H3)2Fe (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; Xyl 2,6-Me2C6H3). [2,6-Mes2C6H3M]2 (1, M Cu; 2, Ag; 6, Au) [2,6-Xyl2C6H3M]2 (3, 4, Ag) are dimeric in solid state, although different geometries observed depending on ligand. These feature short metal–metal distances expected range for metallophilic interactions. While 1–4 readily isolated using this metathetical route, gold complex 6 is unstable solution at ambient temperatures has only obtained low yield decomposition (2,6-Mes2C6H3)Au·SMe2 (5). NMR spectroscopic measurements, including diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, suggest that remain benzene-d6 solution. The interactions examined computationally Quantum Theory Atoms Molecules by an energy analysis employing natural orbitals chemical valence.