Tetrachloroaurate(III) reacts with two equivalents of the bidentate (1-) mixed phosphinothiol ligand 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzenethiol (DPPBTH) in mildly alkaline MeOH to give a cation that can be precipitated from solution as the tetraphenylborate salt, the title complex [Au(DPPBT)2][BPh4] (1). The X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows it has a square planar geometry. K2[PtCl4] or PtCl4 react with DPPBTH in mildly alkaline MeOH to give the 16 electron platinum(II) complex [Pt(DPPBT)2] (2), whilst reaction of Na2[PdCl4] with DPPBTH under similar conditions gives the 16 electron palladium complex [Pd(DPPBT)2] (3). The complexes have been studied by u.v., i.r. and n.m.r. The electrochemical behaviour of complex (1) was also investigated. © 1994 Chapman & Hall.
