ON TRIS[(TRIALKYLPHOSPHINE)GOLD(I)]OXONIU M TETRAFLUOROBORATES AND TRIS[(TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE)GOLD(I)]SULFONIUM TETRAFLUOROBORATE

[Et3PAu]+BF4-, obtained from Et3PAuCl and AgBF4 in tetrahydrofuran, re acts with KOH (molar ratio 3:1) to give the oxonium salt [(Et3P)Au]3OBF4- (1). The homologous [(tBu3P)Au]3O+BF4- (2) is generated similarly from tBu3PAuCl and Ag2O in the presence of NaBF4 in THF. The composit ion and identity of these two first tris[(trialkylphosphine)gold(I)]ox onium salts have been confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic data. The compounds are useful aurating agents. From the corresponding triph enylphosphine complex and (Me3Si)2S quantitative yields of the sulfoni um salt [(Ph3P)Au]3S+BF4- (3) are obtained. Its crystal structure feat ures monomeric cations, and in these small Au-S-Au angles indicate sig nificant metal-metal bonding.