Photoreactivity of gold complexes

The light sensitivity of gold compounds has been known since 1737. More recent observations have led to a deeper understanding of the photochemistry of gold complexes, which are discussed on the basis of selected examples. Light sensitive Au(I) and Au(III) compounds are classified according to the nature of reactive excited states: metal-centered (MC), ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT), metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) and intraligand (IL). Accordingly, some basic information on the electronic spectra of gold complexes including luminescence spectra is provided. The photochemistry is described in more detail. Essentially, our own observations are reported but some relevant observations of other groups are also included. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.