Synthesis and Structure of the Bis(imido)gold Complex [Au 5 I (N t Bu) 2 (PPh 3 ) 4 ] + Cl − ·2C 6 H 5 CH 3 ; a Higher Homologue of the Organotris‐(triphenylphosphaneaurio)ammonium Ions

A “bowtie‐shaped” Au 5 moiety (structure shown on the right, PPh 3 ligands on the terminal Au centers have been omitted) is the characteristic structural feature of the title complex. This is formed in high yield by the reaction of [AuCl(PPh 3 )] with [ t BuNHLi] (1:1 equiv) in toluene. The cation can be regarded as the next homologue of cations of the type [(AuPPh 3 ) 3 NR] + and is the largest structurally characterized imidogold( I ) species to date.