Synthesis and reactivity of the five-membered cycloaurated complexes of 2-phenylthiazole

2-Phenylthiazole (Hphtz) reacted with H[AuCl4]·4H2O to give the salt [H(Hphtz)][AuCl4] (1), while the reaction of Hphtz with Na[AuCl4]·2H2O or AuCl3·4H2O afforded the adduct [AuCl3(HphtzN)] (2). When the adduct 2 was heated in 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of AgBF4, cycloauration took place to produce [AuCl2(phtzC1, N)] [phtz=2-(2-thiazolyl)phenyl] (3). The reactivity of 3 towards Tl(acac) and PPh3 was investigated.