Crystal and molecular structure of chloro(triphenyl phosphite)gold(I)

Abstract

Crystals of [AuCl{P(OPh)₃}] are triclinic, space group P, with a= 9.539(6), b= 10.438(5), c= 9.634(5)Å, α= 82.27(3), β= 84.56(4), γ= 70.52(4)°, Z= 2. Least-squares refinement based on 1 931 reflection intensities has converged at R 0.052. The co-ordination at the gold atom is linear [Au–P 2.192(5) and Au–Cl 2.273(5)Å]. It is suggested that the shortening of the Au–P bond by 0.043 Å relative to that in chloro(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) is caused by the effect of the electronegative substituents at the phosphorus atom on its lone-pair orbital used to form the σ bond to the gold atom.