Synthesis and characterization of group IB and IIB metal complexes with ditertiary phosphine and ditertiary arsine ligands

Abstract

This investigation describes the preparation and properties of complexes of the metals copper, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, and nickel with ditertiary phosphine and ditertiary arsine ligands. The experimental work done is described in three parts: (a) Triphenylphosphine complexes. Some of these have been reported in the literature. Triphenylphosphine complexes of zinc, mercury, copper, and silver have been made either in the molten state1 by heating a mixture of metal halides and triphenylphosphine, or by mixing hot alcoholic solutions of the reactants.2 Analytical information is either completely lacking or at best is only partially reported. An attempt has been made in this study to prepare these complexes in ethanol solvent and determine their complete elemental analysis where feasible. (b) Ditertiary phosphine complexes. Ditertiary phosphine complexes of the halides of zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, and nickel having a composition of 1:1 ligand to metal halide ratio have been prepared, characterized and their properties studied in some detail. (c) Ditertiary arsine complexes. Ditertiary arsine complexes of the halides of copper, gold, and mercury having ligand to metal halide ratio of 1:1 have been isolated, characterized and their properties are studied in some detail. Attempts to isolate ditertiary arsine complexes of zinc, cadmium, silver and nickel were unsuccessful.