Preparation and crystal structure of the four-co-ordinate gold(I) complex chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)gold(I)

The reaction between stoicheiometric amounts of triphenylphosphine and chloro(triphenylphosphine)-gold(I) in acetonitrile leads to chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)gold(I). An X-ray structure determination [space group P21/n, a= 10.197(2), b= 33.586(6), c= 13.306(2)Å, β= 90.04(2)°, Z= 4, R′= 0.047 for 6 272 reflections] shows the presence of four-co-ordinate gold(I) with a long Au–Cl bond (2.710 Å). Related thermochemical and 31P n.m.r. data are presented.