Polycations Stabilised by Borosulfates: [Au3Cl4][B(S2O7)2] and the One-Dimensional Metal [Au2Cl4][B(S2O7)2](SO3)

Abstract

(SO4)-rich silicate analogue borosulfates are able to stabilise cationic cluster-like and chain-like aggregates. Single crystals of [Au3Cl4][B(S2O7)2] and [Au2Cl4][B(S2O7)2](SO3) were obtained by solvothermal reaction with SO3, and the electronic properties were investigated by means of density functional theory–based calculations. [Au3Cl4][B(S2O7)2] exhibits a cluster-like cation, and the cationic gold-chloride strands in [Au2Cl4][B(S2O7)2](SO3) are found to resemble one-dimensional metallic wires. This is confirmed by polarisation microscopy.