Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Theoretical Studies of Gold(I) and Gold(I)−Gold(III) Thiolate Complexes: Quenching of Gold(I) Thiolate Luminescence

Linkage of the Dinuclear Gold(I) Complex Luminescence and Origin of Endocyclic Amino Group of Cyclic P2N2-Bridging Ligands

Gold(I) complexes of LAu2Cl2 composition based on P2N2 ligands, namely 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes, containing ethylpyridyl substituents at the phosphorus atoms and sp2- or sp3-hybridized endocyclic nitrogen atoms were synthesized. The SCXRD analysis indicated the strong impact of the geometry of the nitrogen atom on the structure and conformational flexibility of the complexes. The N-aryl substituted ligand with the planar endocyclic nitrogen atom provides higher flexibility of the complex and an ability to bind the solvent molecules in the "host-guest" mode, whereas that kind of behavior is forbidden for the complex with an N-alkyl substituted ligand with a pyramidal nitrogen atom. The substituents at nitrogen atoms also control the origin of the emission, which is phosphorescence for the N-aryl substituted complex and fluorescence for the N-alkylaryl substituted complex. The phosphorescent gold(I) complex displays high cytotoxicity without selectivity toward the m-HeLa and normal cells, but the core-shell nanoparticles formed on the base of the complex demonstrate reduced cytotoxicity. The luminescence of the NPs allows tracking the complexes in the cell samples.

A photoluminescent thermometer made from a thermoresponsive tetranuclear gold complex and phosphor N630

Reaction of [(3-bdppmapy)(AuCl)₂] with NaHmba (3-bdppmapy = N,N'-bis-(diphenylphosphanylmethyl-3-aminopytidine, H₂mba = 2-mercaptobenzoic acid) resulted in a new tetranuclear Au/P/S complex [(3-bdppmapy)₂(AuHmba)₃(AuCl)] (1). Upon excitation at 370 nm, 1 exhibited solid state, room temperature, green fluorescent emission (QY = 4.7%, τ = 2.58 ns) which was significantly enanced at lower temperatures due to strengthening of the Au-Au interaction. Different ratios of 1 with phosphor N630 in PMMA were used to make thermochromic photoluminescent films and fibres that could be fabricated into an optical thermometer sensitive over temperature ranges 80-300 K and 300-370 K.

Intramolecular aurophilic interactions in dinuclear gold(I) complexes with twisted bridging 2,2'-bipyridine ligands

Elimination of the chloride ion from the [(PPh₃)AuCl] complex using silver triflate (AgOTf) in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridine R₂bpy (the Au : R₂bpy molar ratio is 2 : 1) in dichloromethane at room temperature leads to dinuclear gold(I) complexes [(PPh₃Au)₂(μ-R₂bpy)](OTf)₂ (R₂bpy = bpy (1), dbbpy (2), CH₃Obpy (3), 3-CO₂CH₃bpy (4), 4-CO₂CH₃bpy (5)) in high yields. The crystal structures for all compounds were determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. In all structures, gold ions are in a typical linear environment, and the bipyridine molecule is twisted, which allows intramolecular aurophilic interactions. Relatively short Au(I)⋯Au(I) contacts (3.1262 (2)-3.400 (1) Å) are found in structures 3-5. DFT calculations show the presence of bond critical points (3, -1) for aurophilic interactions in these structures. In structures 1 and 2, the Au(I)⋯Au(I) distances are noticeably larger and equal to 4.479 (1) and 4.589 (1) Å respectively; there are no bond critical points (3, -1) for aurophilic interactions. All complexes show photoluminescence in solid state at room temperature when excited at 300 nm in a wide spectral range: from blue or blue-green emission (400-460 nm) for 1-4 to orange emission (580 mn) for 5. The lifetimes of the excited state are in the microsecond range which is characteristic of phosphorescence. TD-DFT calculations reveal that electronic transitions of different nature are responsible for the photoluminescence of these compounds.

Role of gold nanoparticles in advanced biomedical applications

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have generated keen interest among researchers in recent years due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In general, GNPs are biocompatible, amenable to desired functionalization, non-corroding, and exhibit size and shape dependent optical and electronic properties. These excellent properties of GNPs exhibit their tremendous potential for use in diverse biomedical applications. Herein, we have evaluated the recent advancements of GNPs to highlight their exceptional potential in the biomedical field. Special focus has been given to emerging biomedical applications including bio-imaging, site specific drug/gene delivery, nano-sensing, diagnostics, photon induced therapeutics, and theranostics. We have also elaborated on the basics, presented a historical preview, and discussed the synthesis strategies, functionalization methods, stabilization techniques, and key properties of GNPs. Lastly, we have concluded this article with key findings and unaddressed challenges. Overall, this review is a complete package to understand the importance and achievements of GNPs in the biomedical field.

Luminescence Onset and Mechanism of the Formation of Gold(I)-Thiolate Complexes as the Precursors to Nanoparticles

Gold(I) (Au(I))-thiolate complexes are widely believed as the precursors to Au nanoparticle formations. While the literature suggests that the Au(III)-to-thiol ligand stoichiometric ratio of 1:3 is required to reduce a Au(III) and yield a Au(I)-thiolate, other stoichiometric ratios are also known to produce Au nanoparticles upon reduction. Using the characteristic red luminescence of Au(I)-alkanethiolates, we examined the process of their formations and their implications on the Au nanoparticle synthesis in detail. The onset of the luminescence, correlated with the Au(I)-thiolate formation, as well as the kinetics of the luminophore formation were evaluated in terms of the Au(III)-to-alkanethiol ratios. The onset of the luminescence was affected significantly by the solvent polarity during reaction but not post reaction. We found that the kinetics of the luminophore formation can vary widely, requiring from minutes to 24 h for completion depending on the thiol ligands and molar ratios, as well as solvents. This information could help in designing Au nanoparticle syntheses with the logical choice of Au(III)-to-thiol ratio, solvent, and the timing of reduction.

Dinuclear gold(i) complexes: from bonding to applications

The last two decades have seen a veritable explosion in the use of gold(i) complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and phosphine (PR₃) ligands.

Synthesis of Gold(III) Complexes with Bidentate Amino-Thiolate Ligands as Precursors of Novel Bifunctional Acyclic Diaminocarbenes

Two neutral bis(pentafluorophenyl)thiolate gold(III) complexes with the unsymmetrical S^N ligands 2-aminothiophenol or cysteamine have been synthesized and their reactivity has been studied. Homo- and heterodinuclear compounds were obtained by their coordination to gold(I) or silver(I) derivatives through the sulfur atom. Interestingly, a tetranuclear derivative bearing short gold(I)···gold(I) and the more unusual gold(I)···gold(III) interactions has been prepared. These amino-thiolate derivatives can be used as precursors for the synthesis of novel gold(III) acyclic diaminocarbene complexes by reaction with isocyanides CNR. The nucleophilic attack of the amino group to isocyanide molecules affords the synthesis of unprecedented bidentate C^S acyclic diaminocarbene ligands. All of the complexes are air- and moisture-stable at room temperature and have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized.

Luminescent Gold(III) Thiolates: Supramolecular Interactions Trigger and Control Switchable Photoemissions from Bimolecular Excited States

A new family of cyclometallated gold(III) thiolato complexes based on pyrazine‐centred pincer ligands has been prepared, (C^N^pz^C)AuSR, where C^N^pz^C=2,6‐bis(4‐Bu^tC₆H₄)pyrazine dianion and R=Ph (1), C₆H₄tBu‐4 (2), 2‐pyridyl (3), 1‐naphthyl (1‐Np, 4), 2‐Np (5), quinolinyl (Quin, 6), 4‐methylcoumarinyl (Coum, 7) and 1‐adamantyl (8). The complexes were isolated as yellow to red solids in high yields using mild synthetic conditions. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures revealed that the colour of the deep‐red solids is associated with the formation of a particular type of short (3.2–3.3 Å) intermolecular pyrazine⋅⋅⋅pyrazine π‐interactions. In some cases, yellow and red crystal polymorphs were formed; only the latter were emissive at room temperature. Combined NMR and UV/Vis techniques showed that the supramolecular π‐stacking interactions persist in solution and give rise to intense deep‐red photoluminescence. Monomeric molecules show vibronically structured green emissions at low temperature, assigned to ligand‐based ³IL(C^N^C) triplet emissions. By contrast, the unstructured red emissions correlate mainly with a ³LLCT(SR→{(C^N^pz^C)₂}) charge transfer transition from the thiolate ligand to the π⋅⋅⋅π dimerized pyrazine. Unusually, the π‐interactions can be influenced by sample treatment in solution, such that the emissions can switch reversibly from red to green. To our knowledge this is the first report of aggregation‐enhanced emission in gold(III) chemistry.

Facile one-pot synthesis of Au(0)@Au(i)–NAC core–shell nanoclusters with orange-yellow luminescence for cancer cell imaging

The core–shell AuNCs synthesized by a facile strategy using NAC as reducing-cum-protecting agent were successfully applied for cancer cell imaging.

Economically viable sensitive and selective luminescent sensor for the determination of Au(iii) in environmental samples

An economically viable luminescent sensor for Au(iii) (detection limit of 1.0 pg L⁻¹) was described in this paper using the 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMT) fluorophore.

Group 11 Metal Compounds with Tripodal Bis(imidazole) Thioether Ligands. Applications as Catalysts in the Oxidation of Alkenes and as Antimicrobial Agents

New group 11 metal complexes have been prepared using the previously described tripodal bis(imidazole) thioether ligand (N-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-2-imidazolyl)2C(OMe)C(CH3)2S(tert-Bu) ({BITOMe,StBu}, 2). The pincer ligand offers a N2S donor atom set that can be used to coordinate the group 11 metals in different oxidation states [AuI, AuIII, AgI, CuI and CuII]. Thus the new compounds [Au{BITOMe,StBu}Cl][AuCl4]2 (3), [Au{BITOMe,StBu}Cl] (4), [Ag{BITOMe,StBu}X] (X = OSO2CF3- 5, PF6- 6) and [Cu{BITOMe,StBu}Cl2] (7) have been synthesized from reaction of 2 with the appropriate metal precursors, and characterized in solution. While attempting characterization in the solid state of 3, single crystals of the neutral dinuclear mixed AuIII-AuI species [Au2{BITOMe,S}Cl3] (8) were obtained and its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The structure shows a AuIII center coordinated to the pincer ligand through one N and the S atom. The soft AuI center coordinates to the ligand through the same S atom that has lost the tert-butyl group, thus becoming a thiolate ligand. The short distance between the AuI-AuIII atoms (3.383 Å) may indicate a weak metal-metal interaction. Complexes 2-7 and the previously described CuI compound [Cu{BITOMe,StBu}]PF6 (9) have been evaluated in the oxidation of biphenyl ethylene with tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. Results have shown that the AuI and AgI complexes 4 and 6 (at 10 mol % loading) are the more active catalysts in this oxidative cleavage. The antimicrobial activity of compounds 2-5, 7 and 9 against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast has also been evaluated. The new gold and silver compounds display moderate to high antibacterial activity, while the copper derivatives are mostly inactive. The gold and silver complexes were also potent against fungi. Their cytotoxic properties have been analyzed in vitro utilizing HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. The compounds displayed a very low cytotoxicity on this cell line (5 to 10 times lower than cisplatin) and on normal primary cells derived from C57B6 mouse muscle explants, which may make them promising candidates as potential antimicrobial agents and safer catalysts due to low toxicity in human and other mammalian tissues.

One step synthesis of the smallest photoluminescent and paramagnetic PVP-protected gold atomic clusters

Gold atomic clusters of only two and three atoms were prepared by a simple electrochemical technique based on the anodic dissolution of a gold electrode in the presence of PVP, and subsequent electroreduction of the Au-PVP complexes. These clusters show stable photoluminescent and magnetic properties, which make them the smallest and most elemental gold (0) building blocks in nature (after atoms) bringing new possibilities to construct novel nano/microstructures with large potential interest in biomedicine, catalysis, and so forth.

Bi-, tetra-, and hexanuclear AuI and binuclear AgI complexes and AgI coordination polymers containing phenylaminobis(phosphonite), PhN{P(OC6H4OMe-o)2}2, and pyridyl ligands

The reactions of phenylaminobis(phosphonite), PhN{P(OC6H4OMe-o)2}2 (1) (PNP), with [AuCl(SMe2)] in appropriate ratios, afford the bi- and mononuclear complexes, [(AuCl)2(micro-PNP)] (2) and [(AuCl)(PNP)]2 (3) in good yield. Treatment of 2 with 2 equiv of AgX (X = OTf or ClO4) followed by the addition of 1 or 2,2'-bipyridine affords [Au2(micro-PNP)2](OTf)2 (4) and [Au2(C10H8N2)2(micro-PNP)](ClO4)2 (5), respectively. Similarly, the macrocycles [Au4(C4H4N2)2(micro-PNP)2](ClO4)4 (6), [Au4(C10H8N2)2(micro-PNP)2](ClO4)4 (7), and [Au6(C3H3N3)2(micro-PNP)3](ClO4)6 (8) are obtained by treating 2 with pyrazine, 4,4'-bipyridine, or 1,3,5-triazine in the presence of AgClO 4. The reaction of 1 with AgOTf in a 1:2 molar ratio produces [Ag2(micro-OTf)2(micro-PNP)] (9). The displacement of triflate ions in 9 by 1 leads to a disubstituted derivative, [Ag2(micro-PNP)3](OTf)2 (10). The equimolar reaction of 1 with AgClO4 in THF affords [Ag2(C4H8O)2(micro-PNP)2](ClO4)2 (11). Treatment of 1 with AgClO4 followed by the addition of 2,2'-bipyridine affords a discrete binuclear complex, [Ag2(C10H8N2)2(micro-PNP)](ClO4)2 (12), whereas similar reactions with 4,4'-bipyridine or pyrazine produce one-dimensional zigzag Ag (I) coordination polymers, [Ag2(C10H8N2)(micro-ClO4)(ClO4)(micro-PNP)]n (13) and [Ag2(C4H4N2)(micro-ClO4)(ClO4)(micro-PNP)]n (14) in good yield. The nature of metal-metal interactions in compounds 2, 4, 5, and 12 was analyzed theoretically by performing HF and CC calculations. The structures of the complexes 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 are confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Mononuclear, dinuclear, and hexanuclear goldI complexes with (aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate

The reactions of sodium (aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate with [AuClL] precursors lead to mono-, di-, or hexanuclear derivatives depending on L. The homoleptic hexanuclear gold(I) cluster [Au6(S2CNC10H20O4)6] is formed by displacement of the chloride and isocyanide ligands in [AuCl(CN(2,6-Me2C6H3))]. X-ray diffraction studies show a novel geometry in gold cluster chemistry where the six gold atoms display a cyclohexane-like geometry in a chair conformation with Au-Au-Au angles of 117.028(9) degrees, two short gold-gold distances of 2.9289(5) A, and bidentate bridging dithiocarbamate ligands. The molecular structure shows a crown of gold atoms surrounded by crown ethers. This derivative luminesces at 569 nm at room temperature in the solid state. A dinuclear isomer [Au2(S2CNC10H20O4)2] had been reported previously and was obtained by reaction with [AuCl(SMe2)]. The mechanism to obtain the hexanuclear derivative involves a mononuclear intermediate [Au(S2CNC10H20O4)(CNR)] for which the X-ray structure shows a short gold-gold distance of 3.565 A with the two molecules in an anti configuration. Phosphine gold(I) mononuclear derivatives [Au(S2CNC10H20O4)(PR3)] (R = Me, Ph, both characterized by X-ray diffraction) and dinuclear diphosphine derivatives [{Au(S2CNC10H20O4)}2(mu-P-P)] (P-P = dppm, bis(diphenylphosphinomethane); dppp, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphinopropane); and dppf, 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphinoferrocene)) are also reported. In the mononuclear complexes, the molecular structure confirms that the dithiocarbamato ligand is mainly acting as monodentate, with a second longer Au-S distance of 3.197 (PMe3), 2.944(4) (PPh3), and 2.968 A (CNR). Three phosphine complexes are emissive at 562 (PMe3), 528 (PPh3), and 605 nm (dppm), at 77 K. X-ray diffraction studies of the dppm derivative show gold-gold intramolecular contacts of 3.0972(9) A (3.2265(10) A for a second independent molecule) and basically monodentate coordination of the dithiocarbamato ligands. All the complexes extract sodium and potassium salts from aqueous solutions. The diphosphine derivatives are noticeably better extractors than the monophosphino derivatives, mainly for potassium salts.

Supramolecular Aggregation of Mononuclear Triorganophosphinegold(I) 2-Mercaptobenzamides: Solution Structures, Thermal Decomposition, and Photoluminescence

The crystal structures of R3PAu[SC6H4C(=O)NH2-2], R = Et (1), Ph (2), and Cy (3) show linear coordination geometries for gold defined by sulfur and phosphorus atoms. Supramolecular aggregation via {...H-N-C=O}2 synthons lead to dimeric aggregates in each case. In (1) and (2), the aggregates are spherical, but steric effects exerted by cyclohexyl rings in (3) dictate a rodlike form; no Au...Au interactions were noted in the crystal structures. Solvent dependence in their NMR spectra is correlated with intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The compounds uniformly decompose under controlled conditions to give gold. The complexes excited by UV light produce strong blue-green luminescence. The configuration interaction singles (CIS) post-Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations for the compounds indicate that it is the charge transfer from the sulfur and pi-orbitals of SC6H4C(=O)NH2-2 to gold that produce the emission from gold. The assignment of the observed luminescence is presented in terms of the relaxed excited states of gold, in which the vibronic interactions for three p-orbitals of gold are taken into account.

X-ray-Excited Optical Luminescence (XEOL) and X-ray Absorption Fine Structures (XAFS) Studies of Gold(I) Complexes with Diphosphine and Bipyridine Ligands

Synchrotron techniques, X-ray-excited optical luminescence (XEOL) combined with X-ray absorption fine structures (XAFS), have been used to study the electronic structure and optical properties of a series of luminescent gold(I) complexes with diphosphine and bipyridine ligands using tunable X-rays (in the regions of the C and P K-edges and the Au L3-edge) and UV from synchrotron light sources. The effects of gold-ligand and aurophilic interactions on the luminescence from these gold(I) complexes have been investigated. It is found that the luminescence from these complexes is phosphorescence, primarily due to the decay of the Au (5d) --> PR3 (pi*), metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excitation as well as contributions from the conjugated pi-system in the bipyridine ligands via the gold-nitrogen bond. The large Au 5d spin-orbit coupling enhances the intersystem crossing. The elongation of the hydrocarbon chain of the diphosphine ligand does not greatly affect the spectral features of the luminescence from the gold(I) complexes. However, the intensity of the luminescence was reduced significantly when the bipyridine ligand was replaced with 1,2-bis(4-pyridylamido)benzene. The aurophilic interaction, as investigated by EXAFS at the Au L3-edge, is shown to be only one of the factors that contribute to the luminescence of the complexes.

Luminescent Phosphine Gold(I) Thiolates: Correlation between Crystal Structure and Photoluminescent Properties in [R3PAu{SC(OMe)NC6H4NO2-4}] (R = Et, Cy, Ph) and [(Ph2P-R-PPh2){AuSC(OMe)NC6H4NO2-4}2] (R = CH2, (CH2)2, (CH2)3, (CH2)4, Fc)

X-ray crystallography shows the gold atoms in [R3PAu{SC(OMe)=NC6H4NO2-4}] (R = Et, Cy, Ph; 1-3, respectively) and [(Ph2P-R-PPh2){AuSC(OMe)=NC6H4NO2-4}(2)] (R = CH2, (CH2)2, (CH2)3, (CH2)4, Fc; 4-8, respectively) are linearly coordinated by phosphorus and thiolate-sulfur; weak intramolecular Au...O interactions are featured in all structures. The smaller ethyl substituents in 1 allow for supramolecular association via Au...S and Au...Au interactions that are not found in 2 and 3, which contain larger phosphorus-bound Cy and Ph groups, respectively. Intramolecular Au...Au interactions are found in the dppm, dppe, dppp, and Fc structures but not in the dppp analogue, for which an anti conformation was found. The structures have been correlated with the results from photophysical study conducted in the solid state. Thus, photoexcitation of 1-7 with lambda > 350 in the solid state and in solution produces green and blue luminescence, respectively. The spectra in each medium are remarkably similar to each other, and so the emission energy and excitation maxima observed for 1-7 appear to be independent of the nature of the ancillary phosphines, as well as the presence or absence of Au...Au interactions, either intermolecularly or intramolecularly.

Toward Rational Construction of Gold, Gold−Silver, and Gold−Mercury String Complexes: Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of [Au(Tab)2]2L2 (L = I and PF6), {[(Tab)2M][Au(CN)2]}2 (M = Au and Ag), and {[Hg(Tab)2][Au(CN)2]2} [Tab = 4-(Trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate]

The reaction of AuI with 2 equiv of TabHPF6 [TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol] in the presence of excess Et3N in dimethylformamide (DMF)/MeOH afforded a binuclear gold(I) complex [Au(Tab)2]2I2.2H2O (1). Anion exchange of 1 with NH4PF6 in DMF gave rise to the more soluble complex [Au(Tab)2]2(PF6)2 (2). Treatment of 2 with K[Au(CN)2] produced a tetranuclear gold(I) complex {[(Tab)2Au][Au(CN)2]}2 (3). Analogous reactions of two known mononuclear complexes [Ag(Tab)2](PF6) (4) and [Hg(Tab)2](PF6)2 (5) with 1 or 2 equiv of K[Au(CN)2] generated one Ag2Au2 complex {[(Tab)2Ag][Au(CN)2]}2 (6) and one Au/Hg complex {[Hg(Tab)2][Au(CN)2]2} (7), respectively. Compounds 1-3, 6, and 7 were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-vis spectra, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. 1 and 2 have a similar [Au(Tab)2]2(2+) dimeric structure in which the two [Au(Tab)2]+ cations are connected via one Au-Au aurophilic interaction. In the structure of 3 or 6, each of the two pairs of [M(Tab)2]+ cation and [Au(CN)2]- anion is held together via ionic interactions to form a {[(Tab)2M][Au(CN)2]} species (M = Au, 3; Ag, 6). Two such species are further connected by one Au-Au aurophilic bonding interaction to form an uncommon Au(4) or Ag2Au2 linear string structure with three ligand-unsupported metal-metal bonds. For 7, the [Hg(Tab)2]2+ dication and the [Au(CN)2]2(2-) dianion are interconnected by the secondary Hg...N(CN) interactions to form a 1D chain structure. The thermal and luminescent properties of 1-3, 6, and 7 in solid state were also investigated.

Inhibition of lysosomal cysteine proteases by a series of Au(I) complexes: a detailed mechanistic investigation

Complexes of gold(I) have long been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis although the precise biological targets of gold are not well understood. One intriguing therapeutic target of Au(I) is the cathepsin family of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Here, we present the inhibition of cathepsin B by a known Au(I)-based drug and a series of derivatives. The complexes investigated were reversible, competitive inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 250 microM, depending on the substituents around the Au(I).