Copper(I) and Gold(I) Complexes with N,N ′‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine as Ligand: Synthesis and Molecular Structures

Reaction of CuI with 1 or 2 equivalent(s) N,N ′‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine (BDDP) gives two different complexes, [Cu(I)μ‐(BDDP‐κ P,N py )] 2 ( 1 ) and [Cu(BDDP‐κ P,N py ) 2 ]I ( 2 ), in high yields. The determination of the molecular structure show that both Cu I atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, rather than a square‐planar geometry reported for Cr 0 , Ni II ‐BDDP complexes before, which contains a planar tridentate chelate ring system. The introduction of AuCl(tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) into [Cu(BDDP‐κ P,N py ) 2 ]I leads unexpectedly to the formation of a digold complex 2,6‐[(ClAuPh 2 P)HN] 2 C 5 H 3 N and dimeric [Cu(I)μ‐(BDDP‐κ P,N py )] 2 .