Gold dithiolene complexes: easy access to 2-alkylthio-thiazoledithiolate complexes

Abstract

In the presence of MeI or EtI, N-tert-butyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione derivatives undergo a transformation to 2-alkylthio-thiazoledithiolate pro-ligands with elimination of the tert-butyl substituent. The corresponding Au^III dithiolene complexes [Au(RS-tzdt)₂]⁻ (R = Me, Et) oxidize readily to the neutral radical species, such as the semi-conducting [Au(EtS-tzdt)₂]˙, which organizes into dimers in the solid state.