2‐Pyridylmetallocenes, Part VII. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Cycloaurated Pyridylmetallocenes

Treatment of the 2‐pyridylferrocenes [CpFe(C 5 H 3 R{C 5 H 4 N})] (R=H, Me) with HAuCl 4 or NaAuCl 4 in aqueous acetonitrile yields the cycloaurated complexes [CpFe(C 5 H 2 R{C 5 H 4 N}AuCl 2 )] (R=H, 2 a ; Me, 2 b ). Reaction of 2 a,b with phenylacetylene in the presence of CuI and NEt 3 produces the monoalkynyl complexes [CpFe(C 5 H 2 R{C 5 H 4 N}AuI{CCPh})] (R=H, 3 a ; Me, 3 b ), while the reaction of 2 a with NaCN/ LiCl yields.the bis‐cyanide [CpFe(C 5 H 3 {C 5 H 4 N}Au{CN} 2 )] 4 a . The molecular structures of 2 a , 3 a , 3 b and 4 a were determined by X‐ray diffraction.