Anthracene-Containing Gold(I) Triphenylphosphine Acetylide:Synthesis and (Spectro)electrochemical Properties

The synthesis of a σ-alkynyl gold(I) complex bearing a anthryl π-system and a triarylamine functionality has been carried out by a ligand exchange reaction of the acetylene with [Au(PPh₃)Cl]. Electrochemical oxidation of the triarylamine functionality of the gold complex led to the formation of 10,10′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl)bis(9-di(p-tolyl)amino-anthracene) from two molecules of the gold acetylide. The formed butadiyne displays two triarylamine based redox processes in close proximity and an irreversible oxidation event originating from the anthracene bridge. Spectro-electrochemical studies revealed several intense amine/anthracene-based charge transfer excitations in the oxidized states and confirm the generation of the butadiyne.