Gold(i) and gold(iii) complexes of triazolyl-functionalised NHCs

Novel triazolyl-functionalised imidazolium salts and their corresponding Au^I/Au^III complexes were synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction studies. The reaction of (mono and bis carbene) Au^I complexes with thionyl chloride gave Au^III complexes. These Au^III complexes are reduced to Au^I complexes by DMSO dissolution, and react with silver nitrate to afford chelating complexes, where the triazolyl N atoms bind to gold. The triazolyl-functionalised Au^I complexes showed potency against ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR-8 cells, IC₅₀ < 15 μM).