Gold(I) {2}-Metallacoronates derived from a Catechol-scaffolding Aroylbis(N,N-diethylthiourea): Syntheses and Structures

One-pot reactions of catechol-scaffolding aroylbis(N,N-diethylthiourea) H2Lcat and mixtures of lanthanide nitrates Ln(NO3)(3) (Ln(3+)=La3+, Nd3+ or Yb3+) or indium(III) chloride InCl3 and [Au(tht)Cl] in methanol in the presence of the supporting base Et3N result in gold(I) {2}-metallacoronates. Depending on radii of the trivalent metal ions, the corresponding complexes are separated either in the neutral form with the composition {(NO3-kappa(2)-O,O')Ln subset of[Au-2(L-cat)(2)]} in the cases of La3+ and Nd3+ or as the 'ion-pair' {Yb subset of[Au-2(L-cat)(2)]}(+)(NO3)(-) for the Yb(III) compound. The cationic complexes can be isolated in higher yields as the PF6- salts {M subset of[Au-2(L-cat)(2)]}(+)(PF6)(-) (M3+=Yb3+ or In3+) by treatment of reaction mixtures with (n-Bu4N)(PF6).