The gold(III) tetra­chloride salt of L‐cocaine

The title salt, methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S,8S)‐3‐benzoyl­oxy‐8‐methyl‐8‐aza­bicyclo­3.2.1]octane‐2‐carboxyl­ate tetra­chloro­aurate(III), (C₁₇H₂₂NO₄)AuCl₄], has its protonated N atom intra­molecularly hydrogen bonded to the O atom of the methoxy­carbonyl group N?O = 2.755 (6) Å and N—H?O = 136°]. Two close inter­molecular C—H?O contacts exist, as well as five C—H?Cl close contacts. The AuCl₄]^? anion was found to be distorted square planar.