Preparation and properties of cyano(triphenylphosphoniomethanide)-gold(I) and its oxidative-addition products with halogens

Abstract

The 1:1 complex [Au(CN)(CH₂PPh₃)] has been obtained from the reaction between triphenylphosphoniomethanide and gold(I) cyanide. This undergoes oxidative-addition reactions with halogens X₂ to give the gold(III) complexes trans-[AuX₂(CN)(CH₂PPh₃)]. The complexes have been characterized by conductivity measurements, n.m.r., and vibrational spectroscopy, and contain a stable bond between the ylidic carbon and the gold atom.