Ground-state trans-effect and molecular structure of trichloro(triphenylphosphine)gold(III)

Abstract

The molecular structure of the title compound has been determined by a three-dimensional X-ray diffraction study. Crystals are triclinic, space group P, with Z= 2 in a cell of dimensions: a= 10·683(8), b= 9·109(6), c= 10·090(8)Å, α= 92·19(8)°, β= 69·68(8)°, γ= 91·69(8)°. The structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier methods.

Least-squares refinement gave R 0·050 for 2076 reflections, observed by counter methods.

The structure consists of well separated molecules. The co-ordination about the Au atom is nearly square-planar, with Au–P 2·335(4), and the Au–Cl 2·273(4), 2·282(4), and 2·347(4)Å.

The relatively large Au–Cl distance for the chlorine trans to the phosphine ligand and the small but significant deviation from complete planarity are discussed in relation to the general behaviour of the complex and to the relatively high trans-effect of the phosphine ligand.