Isolation of an Intermediate during the Decomposition of a Tetragold‐Phosphane Complex

Abstract

Abstract Reaction of the diphosphanylamine 2,6‐{(Ph 2 P) 2 N} 2 C 5 H 3 N with four equivalents of Au(tht)Cl (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) affords the tetragold complex 2,6‐{(ClAuPh 2 P) 2 N} 2 C 5 H 3 N in high yield. Decomposition of the tetragold compound results in the formation of the digold complex 2,6‐{(ClAuPh 2 P)HN} 2 C 5 H 3 N and colloidal gold. A trigold intermediate, which contains a Au−Au interaction [2.9886(5) Å] has been isolated, and while ultimately unstable, it is thought to be partially stabilised by virtue of the aurophilic nature of gold. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)