Transfer of organic groups to gold using organotin compounds

PhSnMe3 undergoes transmetallation with [AuCl(EPh3)] (E = P, As) in refluxing toluene forming [AuPh(EPh3)] and Me3SnCl. The analogous nBu derivative does not transmetallate, even under forcing conditions. Similarly, 1-(trimethylstannyl)naphthalene and 1-(trimethylstannyl)-8-iodonaphthalene react with [AuCl(PPh3)] to give good yields of the corresponding naphthylgold(I) complexes which were spectroscopically and structurally characterised.