Gold(I) carboxylates and fluorocarboxylates

(Triphenylphosphine)gold(I) pivalate (1), and (triphenylphosphine)gold(I), [tri(p-tolyl)-phosphine]gold(I), [(4-dimethylaminophenyl)diphenylphosphine]gold(I), and (cyclohexylisocyanide)gold(I) pentafluoropropionate (2-5) have been prepared from the corresponding gold(I) halide complexes and silver carboxylates in high yields. The products are stable to air and moisture and soluble in most common polar organic solvents. The structures of 1 and 3 have been determined. Owing to the bulk of the carboxylate substituents the molecules are monomers in the crystal. Compounds 1-4 undergo thermal decomposition in a narrow temperature range around 130°C, 5 is less stable and decomposes at 48°C.