New insights into the effects of self-association of the cation [Au[C(NHMe)(2)](2)](+) on its solid state structure and luminescence

Colorless [Au[C(NHMe)(2)](2)]X.H(2)O (X = Cl or Br) crystallize as dimers with Au.Au separations of 3.1231(3) A (Cl salt) and 3.1297(4) A (Br salt) between the linear, two-coordinate cations, and there is no direct interaction of Au(I) with the halide ions which are hydrogen bonded to ligand N-H groups and the water molecules. The luminescence of these dimers occurs at higher energy than that observed in extended chains of the same cation in the corresponding (PF(6))(-) and (BF(4))(-) salts and shows the important effects of aggregation on the observed luminescence.