Strong interactions through the X⋯Au–Y bridge: the Au bond?

The interaction between AuOH and the lone-pair donors (HF, H2O) is shown to result in well-bound complexes whose structure resembles that of the corresponding H-bonded systems with the gold atom replacing hydrogen. The dissociation energies are estimated to be 10.7 and 27.4 kcal/mol for HF⋯Au–OH and H2O⋯Au–OH, respectively. However, the interaction between AuOH and the lone pair donors is found to involve significant charge transfer. Furthermore, the Au–O stretching frequency increases upon the complex formation. It is concluded that, in spite of certain similarity to the H-bonded species, the Au-bonded complexes should be considered as Lewis acid–base pairs.