Synthesis and Structure of a Cyclic Complex of Digold Sulfide Au2S and of Related Compounds

Abstract

Abstract1,4‐Bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)benzene (1) was converted into its bis[chlorogold(I)] complex [1 · (AuCl)2] upon treatment with two equivalents of chloro(dimethyl sulfide)‐gold(I). The reaction of 1 · (AuCl)2 with one equivalent of silver tetrafluoroborate afforded a cyclic di[gold(I)]chloronium tetrafluoroborate [1 · Au2Cl+ BF‐4]. Substitution of chloride in 1 · (AuCl)2 by sodium methanethiolate in wet chloroform, gave the bis[methylthiogold(I)] complex 1 · (AuSMe)2], while with sodium sulfide a cyclic complex 1 · Au2S was obtained. Reaction of 1 · (AuCl)2 with two equivalents of AgBF4 followed by treatment with diphenyldisulfide or sodium methanethiolate yielded the cyclic methyl/phenylsulfonium tetrafluoroborates 1 · Au2SPh+ BF‐4 and 1 · Au2SMe+BF‐4, respectively. All compounds were identified on the basis of their analytical and spectroscopic data. The crystal structures of 1 · (AuCl)2, 1 · (AuSMe)2, and 1 · Au2S have been determined. The Au2S complex has a cyclic structure with a narrow Au‐S‐Au angle of 86.7(1)° indicating a significant intraannular Au…Au interaction.