Synthesis and characterisation of the first auracyclobutane complex

The silver(I) oxide mediated reaction of the gold(III) dichloride complex [ {C6H3(CH2NMe2)-2-(OMe)-5}AuCl2] with 1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropane, CH(CN)(2)CH 2CH(CN)(2) in refluxing dichloromethane affords, in a high yield, the first example of an auracyclobutane complex, [{C6H3(CH2NMe2)-2-(OMe)-5} Au{C(CN) (2)CH2C(CN)(2)}]. The X-ray crystal structure shows a slightly puckered aur acyclobutane ring, with structural features similar to the known platinacyc lobutane complex[Pt{C(CN)(2)CH2C(CN)(2)} (PPh3)(2)], which can also be synt hesised by the silver(I) oxide method. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All r ights reserved.