Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(triphenylphosphine)gold tricyanomethanide, [(PPh3)2Au]⁺ [C(CN)3]^-

A new unusual transformation of tetracyanoethylene (TCE) into a tri-cyanomethanide anion [C(CN) 3 ] − has been found. This transformation occurs as a result of action of tris(triphenylphosphinegold)oxonium tetrafluoroborate [O(AuPPh 3 ) 3 ] + BF 4 − on TCE or its donor-acceptor complexes with toluene and 2.4-dihydro-1.3-diphenylcyclopenta(b)indene, to give [(PPh 3 2 Au] + [C(CN) 3 ] − (I). The X-ray diffraction study of I (20°, λMo- K a , 1569 reflections, space group C 2/ c , Z = 4, R = 0.0296) has revealed that the cations [Au(PPh 3 ) 2 ] + occupy specific positions in the inversion centres and the anions [C(CN) 3 − are located on the ‘2’ axes. No. Au…N interaction in I has been found. Complex I has been characterized by 1 H and 31 P NMR and IR spectroscopy. The conductivity of I in CH 3 OH-CH 3 CN solutions has been measured.