Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination of the cationic gold cluster compound [Au8(PPh3)7](NO3)2

Abstract

The reaction of [Au₈L₈](NO₃)₂(L = PPh₃) with the phosphine scavenger [RhCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ yields [Au₈L₇]-(NO₃)₂, X-ray analysis of which reveals the Au skeleton to be a fragment of the centred icosahedron; the cluster to be a fragment; the cluster is an intermediate in the reactions of [Au₉L₈]³⁺, and its ¹⁹⁷ Au Mössbauer spectrum lacks, like that of [Au₉L₈]³⁺, a separate resonance for the central Au atom.