Evidence of gold-gold intra- and intermolecular interactions gained by laser desorption/ionisation and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry in the study of some gold(I) coordination compounds

The mass spectrometric behaviour of some two-coordinated linear gold(I) complexes has been studied by fast atom bombardment (FAB) and laser desorption/ionisation (LDI) methods. The results obtained demonstrate some interesting aspects of Au-Au interactions. The detection under FAB conditions of Au(n)(+) clusters, in particular of Au(3)(+) species, can be rationalised by the presence of significant intramolecular Au-Au interactions, while the formation under LDI conditions of Au(n)(+) clusters can be considered indicative of Au(ellipsis)Au intermolecular interactions present in the solid state