Polynuclear Gold [AuI]4, [AuI]8, and Bimetallic [AuI4AgI] Complexes: C �H Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds and Homogeneous Carbonylation of Amines

The synthesis of tetranuclear gold complexes, a structurally unprecedented octanuclear complex with a planar [AuI8] core, and pentanuclear [AuI4MI] (M=Cu, Ag) complexes is presented. The linear [AuI4] complex under- goes C H functionalization of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. In addition, [AuI4AgI] catalyzes the carbonylation of primary amines to form ureas under homo- geneous conditions with efficiencies higher than those achieved by gold nanoparticles.