Diphenyl(2-hydroxy-phenyl)phosphine and its trimethylsilyl ether as ligands tor gold(I) complexes

Diphenyl(2-hydroxy-phenyl)phosphine was introduced as a ligand for gold(I) halides and pentafluorophenyl gold(I) in order to probe the interplay of in tra- and intermolecular interactions based on aurophilic (Au ... Au) and hy drogen bonding. 1:1 complexes of the type Ph-2(2-HO-C6H4)P-Au-X with X = Cl , Br, C6F5 have been prepared and characterized by analytical and spectrosc opic data. The crystal structure of the chloro complex (I) has been determi ned. In the lattice the molecules form dimers through O-H ... Cl hydrogen b onds. Au ... Au contacts are ruled out by steric congestion. Reaction of 1 with triethylamine yields a I:I adduct with O-H ... NEt3 hydrogen bonding. The trimethylsilyl ether of the title ligand also forms 1:1 complexes with AuCl, AuBr, AuI, and AuC6F5. The crystal structures of the chloro (5) and i odo (7) compound have been determined. In both cases the lattices are built from monomers which show only minor differences in their conformations. Th e silylether groups are not acting as intra- or intermolecular donor functi ons to the gold atoms.