Synthesis and characterization of Group 11 and 12 complexes containing a new thioether-functionalized and pyridine-based bis(phosphine) ligand, 2,6-bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl-sulfanylmethyl]pyridine

The new ligand 2,6-bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethylsulfanylmethyl]pyridine, 2,6-(Ph2PCH2CH2SCH2)2C5H3N (L1), has been synthesized. Reaction of [Cu(MeCN)4][CF3SO3] or AgNO3 with 1 molar equivalent of L1 gave [CuL1][CF3SO3] 1 or [AgL1][NO3] 2, in good yield. Reaction of equimolar quantities of L1 and AuI, followed by precipitation with AgO3SCF3, gave [AuL1][CF3SO3] 3. In the crystal structure of 2·H2O, L1 co-ordinates to Ag via a P2S2 donor set in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Reaction of M(O3SCF3)2 (M = Zn or Cd) with 1 molar equivalent of L1 gave [ML1(O3SCF3)2] (M = Zn 4 or Cd 5). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed that the molecule has symmetry 2, with all five donor atoms of L1 and a pair of monodentate CF3SO3– ligands arranged in an unusual distorted pentagonal bipyramidal co-ordination geometry about the cadmium centre.