Gold(I) Complexes of Chiral Secondary Phosphines

The reaction of (dimethylsulfide)gold(I) chloride and bromide with methyl(phenyl)phosphine in tetrahydrofuran affords high yields of the colorless, crystalline, chiral complexes [Me(Ph)HP]AuCl/Br(1a, b). Treatment of 1a with potassium iodide in the leads to a conversion into the corresponding iodide [Me(Ph)HP]AuI(1c). The compounds were characterized by their analytical and spectroscopic data, and the crystal structures of 1a, b have been determined. The two compounds are isomorphous. In the lattice the monomers form chain-like supramolecular aggregates through auriophilic Au-Au contacts. The chains contain both enantiomers following the sequence ..R S R S R S.., with the individual components related by crystal symmetry.