The reduction of HAuCl4 by Na2S has been reported to produce gold nanoparticles with an optical absorption in the near-infrared along with its characteristic absorption in the visible. The optical resonances in the visible are due to the gold surface plasma, which are a function of the geometry of the particles. The near-infrared absorption had been attributed to the formation of Au2S/Au core/shell structures. In this report we present new electronic absorption, electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption data in several systems to show that the near-infrared absorption does not involve core/shell structures. We further suggest that the near-infrared adsorption is most likely the result of the formation of aggregates of gold nanoparticles. The identification of the origin of the near-infrared resonance is critical in understanding the optical properties of metal nanoparticle systems.

Near Infrared Optical Absorption of Gold Nanoparticle Aggregates

Organometallic Au(I) NHC compounds bearing caffeine-type ligands have been synthesized and characterized as promising anticancer agents. The bis-carbene complex [Au(caffeine-2-yliene)2][BF4] appeared to be selective for human ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro and poorly toxic in healthy organs ex vivo. The compound shows high affinity and selectivity for G-quadruplex structures as demonstrated by FRET melting assay.

Caffeine-Based Gold(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Possible Anticancer Agents: Synthesis and Biological Properties

Over the past decade the organometallic chemistry of gold(III) has seen remarkable advances. This includes the synthesis of the first examples of several compound classes that have long been hypothesized as being part of catalytic cycles, such as gold(III) alkene, alkyne, CO and hydride complexes, and important catalysis-relevant reaction steps have at last been demonstrated for gold, like migratory insertion and β-H elimination reactions. Also, reaction pathways that were already known, for example the generation of gold(III) intermediates by oxidative addition and their reductive elimination, are much better understood. A deeper understanding of fundamental organometallic reactivity of gold(III) has revealed unexpected mechanistic avenues, which can open when the barriers for reactions that for other metals would be regarded as "standard" are too high. This review summarizes and evaluates these developments, together with applications of gold(III) in synthesis and catalysis, with emphasis on the mechanistic insight gained in these investigations.

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Recent Advances in Gold(III) Chemistry: Structure, Bonding, Reactivity, and Role in Homogeneous Catalysis.

A dimeric macrocyclic tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) silver complex was synthesized and shown to successfully extend transmetallation of polydentate NHCs beyond bidentate NHCs. The silver complex was utilized in the preparation of a variety of monomeric tetra-NHC complexes ranging from early first row to late third row transition metals in moderate to high yield for a total of nine examples of transmetallation. Among these complexes are rare examples of silver transmetallation with first row transition metals: chromium, iron, and cobalt. Additionally, the first examples of tetracarbenes on chromium and gold are reported. All compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, ESI-MS, and spectroscopic techniques.

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Exploiting a dimeric silver transmetallating reagent to synthesize macrocyclic tetracarbene complexes

Cationic bis[1,3-diethyl-4,5-diarylimidazol-2-ylidene]gold(I) complexes with 4-OCH(3) or 4-F substituents in the aromatic rings and Br(-) (3a,b) or BF(4)(-) (7a,b) counterions were synthesized, characterized, and investigated for tumor growth inhibitory properties in vitro. Analogous to auranofin, the N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were also combined with a phosphine ligand (triphenylphosphine, 4a,b) and 2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1-thiolate (5a,b). The growth inhibitory effect against MCF-7, MDA-MB 231, and HT-29 cells, which is more than 10-fold higher than that of cisplatin or 5-FU, was independent of the oxidation state (Au(III), 6a,b) and the anionic counterion. Bis[1,3-diethyl-4,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(I) bromide 3b as the most cytotoxic compound reduced the growth of MCF-7 cells with IC(50) = 0.10 μM (cisplatin, 1.6 μM; 5-FU, 4.7 μM). The thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), the estrogen receptor (ER), and the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which have to be considered as possible targets based on the drug design, can be excluded from being involved in the mode of action.

Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Studies of Bis[1,3-diethyl-4,5-diarylimidazol-2-ylidene]gold(I/III) Complexes

Gold(I) complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) of the type (NHC)AuBr (3a/3b) [NHC = 1-methyl-3-benzylimidazol-2-ylidene (= MeBnIm), and 1,3-dibenzylimidazol-2-ylidene (= Bn2Im)] are prepared by transmetallation reactions of (tht)AuBr (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and (NHC)AgBr (2a/2b). The homoleptic, ionic complexes [(NHC)2Au]Br (6a/6b) are synthesized by the reaction with free carbene. Successive oxidation of 3a/3b and 6a/6b with bromine gave the respective (NHC)AuBr3 (4a/4b) and [(NHC)2AuBr2]Br (7a/7b) in good overall yields as yellow powders. All complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactions of the Au(III) complexes towards anionic ligands like carboxylates, phenolates and thiophenolates were investigated and result in a complete or partial reduction to a Au(I) complex. Irradiation of the Au(III) complexes with UV light yield the Au(I) congeners in a clean photo-reaction.

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Charlotte Krims

Papers

Syntheses, crystal structures, reactivity, and photochemistry of gold(III) bromides bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes.