Synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of the centred icosahedral gold cluster compound [Aul3(PMe2Ph)10Cl2](PF6)3; the realization of a theoretical prediction

Abstract

The gold(I) complexes AuCl(PR₃)(PR₃= PPh₃, PMePh₂, and PMe₂Ph) react with Ti(η-C₇H₈)₂ to form a variety of cationic gold cluster complexes; single-crystal X-ray analysis of one of these, [Au₁₃-(PMe₂Ph)₁₀Cl₂](PF₆)₃, has confirmed a centred icosahedral geometry for the cluster, in agreement with an earlier theoretical prediction.