Reduction of [NBu4][AuCl4] to [NBu4][AuCl2] with Sodium Acetylacetonate

Abstract

The preparation of crystalline [NBu₄] [AuCl₂] in 85-90% yield by the reduction of [NBu₄] [AuCl₄] with sodium acetylacetonate is reported together with procedures for the quantitative synthesis of crystalline [NBu₄] [AuX₄] (X = Cl, Br) through direct oxidation of metallic gold in X₂/[NBu₄] X/ethanol, and the determination of the crystal structure of [NBu₄] [AuCl₄].