The first gold(III) dinuclear cyclometallated derivatives with a single oxo bridge

The reaction of the gold(III) cyclometallated complexes [Au(L)Cl][BF4] [L = N2C10H7(CHMeC6H4)-6 1 or N2C10H7(CMe2C6H4)-6 2, where N2C10H8 = 2,2′-bipy] with AgBF4 in acetone solution affords the acetonyl derivatives [Au(L){CH2C(O)Me}][BF4], 3 and 4, and the dinuclear oxo-bridged complexes [Au2(L)2(µ-O)][BF4]2, 5 and 6; the crystal structure of complex 6 gives evidence for an unprecedented unsupported Au–O–Au bridge.