Organyltriphenylphosphonium Dicyanoaurates [Ph3PR]+[Au(CN)2]−, R = CH2C(O)Ph, CHCHMe, (CH2)4Br: Synthesis and Structure

Abstract

The [Ph₃PR]+[Au(CN)₂]⁻ complexes, where R = CH₂C(O)Ph (I), CHCHMe (II), and (CH₂)₄Br (III), have been synthesized by the reaction between potassium dicyanoaurate and organyltriphenylphosphonium chlorides in water and structurally studied. The phosphorus atoms in organyltriphenylphosphonium cations have a distorted tetrahedral coordination: CPC angles, 107.14(13)°–112.29(17)° (I), 107.38(15)°–110.84(16)° (II), 107.5(3)°–112.1(3)° (III), P-C bonds, 1.792(3)–1.828(3) (I), 1.768(4)–1.800(4) (II), 1.787(5)–1.799(5) Å (III). In nearly linear [Au(CN)₂]⁻ anions, the CAuC angles are 179.38(13)° (I), 177.41(18)° (II), and 178.2(3)° (III), and the Au–C distances are 1.967(6)–2.010(4) Å.