Synthesis and characterization of bis[(dimethylphosphanylethynyl)dimethylsilyl]methane-digold(I) dichloride

The reaction of chlorodimethylphosphane with dilithiated bis(ethynyldimethylsilyl)methane leads to the corresponding bis[(dimethylphosphanylethynyl)dimethylsilyl]methane (1) which reacts readily with chloroauric acid in the presence of a reductant to form its dinuclear chlorogold(I) complex (2). The terminal chloride units of this compound can be substituted by reaction with nucleophiles. Furthermore, the metallophilic host functionality of the dinuclear complex 2 towards metallophilic atoms such as copper, silver, and thallium was tested. The crystal structure of bis[(dimethylphosphanylethynyl)dimethylsilyl]methane-digold(I) dichloride (2) is presented, which shows chains of the molecules aggregated by intermolecular aurophilic contacts.