NBu4[{Au(C6F5)3}2(μ-PPh2)]: a gold(III) phosphide with a single atom bridging the metallic centers

Reaction of [Au(C6F5)3(PPh2H)] with [Au(C6F5)3(tht)] and NBu4(acac) (acac=acetylacetonate) leads to the synthesis of NBu4[{Au(C6F5)3}2(μ-PPh2)] (1), an unprecedented complex with two gold(III) centers bonded to a unique bridging atom without any other stabilizing effect. The novel di-bridged gold(III) phosphide [Au2(C6F5)4(μ-PPh2)2] (2) is obtained by treatment of diphenylphosphine with [Au2(C6F5)4(μ-Cl)2]. The crystal structures of both derivatives have been determined by X-ray diffraction.