Synthesis and Reactivity of Some Nitroaryl Complexes of HgII and AuIII — Synthesis of a Substituted Biphenyl by C–C Coupling – Crystal Structure of [Hg(C6H4NO2‐3, OnBu‐6)2]

Abstract 4‐Butoxynitrobenzene reacts with [Hg(O2CCF3)2] and LiCl to give [Hg(R)Cl] [R = C6H3NO2‐3, OnBu‐6 (1)] which is symmetrized by Me4NCl to give [HgR2] (2), the crystal structure of which has been determined. The reaction of 2 with Me4N[AuCl4] affords Me4N[Au(R)Cl3] (3) by a facile transmetallation process. Complex 3 reacts with PPh3 (1:1) to give cis‐[Au(R)(PPh3)Cl2] (4). The diaryl complex [ ‐Ph‐2)(R)Cl] (5) is obtained by reaction of 3 with [Hg‐(C6H4N=NPh‐2)2] through a second transmetallation reaction. Complex 5 and PPh3 (1:1) give [AuClPPh3] and the C–C coupling biphenyl RC6H4N=NPh‐2 (6).