Chloro(trimesitylphosphine)gold(I), [AuCl(C9H11)P3], has approximate t
hreefold symmetry in the solid state [dihedral angles between the mesi
tyl ring planes and the relevant Au-P-C planes are 47.0 (1), 48.0 (1)
and 48.5 (1)-degrees]. The Au atom has a linear coordination geometry
with Au-Cl and Au-P bond lengths of 2.2716 (19) and 2.2634 (15) angstr
om, respectively, and a P-Au-Cl bond angle of 178.01 (8)-degrees. The
C(ar)-C(ar) bond lengths are in the range 1.360 (10) to 1.424 (8) angs
trom, while the range of C(ar)-C(sp)3 distances lies between 1.499 (10
) and 1.529 (9) angstrom.