Metathesis Reactions between Heavy d-8 Fluorides and I(III)-Pyridine Complexes

The reaction between trans-[AuF2(pyridine)2]+ and [PhI(pyridine)2]2+ results in the formation of PhIF2 and [Au(pyridine)4]3+. Investigation of the reaction pathway using model Pd and Pt analogues of the gold complex indicate that the most likely mechanism is attack by the Au–F onto the I(III), rather than a redox process. This demonstrates that the Au(III)–F fragment can behave in a nucleophilic manner even in a relatively electron-poor cationic complex.