Über Tris[(trialkylphosphan)gold(I)]oxonium-tetrafluoroborate und Tris[(triphenylphosphan)gold(I)]sulfonium-tetrafluoroborat

On Tris[(trialkylphosphine)gold(I)]oxonium Tetrafluoroborates and Tris[(triphenylphosphine)gold(I)]sulfonium Tetrafluoroborate [Et₃PAu]⁺BF, obtained from Et₃PAuCl and AgBF₄ in tetrahydrofuran, reacts with KOH (molar ratio 3:1) to give the oxonium salt [(Et₃P)Au]₃O⁺BF ( 1 ). The homologous [^t(Bu₃P)Au]₃O⁺BF ( 2 ) is generated similarly from ^tBu₃PAuCl and Ag₂O in the presence of NaBF₄ in THF. The composition and identity of these two first tris[(tri alkyl phosphine)gold(I)]oxonium salts have been confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic data. The compounds are useful aurating agents. From the corresponding triphenylphosphine complex and (Me₃Si)₂S quantitative yields of the sulfonium salt [(Ph₃P)Au]₃S⁺BF ( 3 ) are obtained. Its crystal structure features monomeric cations, and in these small Au? S? Au angles indicate significant metal-metal bonding.