Metathesis Reactions Between Heavy D8 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 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.