Tri( N -carbazolyl)phosphine Gold(I) Complexes: Structural and Catalytic Activity Studies.

Twelve tri(-carbazolyl)phosphine gold(I) complexes, bearing both protonated and deuterated aryl phosphorous triamide-type ligands, have been synthesized and characterized. An elusive Au-H(D) interaction between the H(D) atoms of the tri(-carbazolyl)phosphine ligand at the H-1(D-1) position of the carbazolyl ring and the central gold atom was observed. Complexes / bearing the dibrominated tri(-carbazolyl)phosphine ligand exhibit isotopic polymorphism, in which two dramatically different crystal-packing modes between the protonated and deuterated forms occur. The catalytic potential of these complexes has been showcased in the gold(I)-catalyzed glycosylation with glycosyl -alkynylbenzoates as donors, with TON being up to 27 000.