Cationic Gold(I) Complexes of 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene

2,4,6-Tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene forms eta(1) complexes with [AuL](+). Significant structural differences are observed between the P-3((CBu)-Bu-t)(3) units, depending on the auxiliary ligand bound to gold. For L = NHC, a planar P-3((CBu)-Bu-t)(3) is observed; for L = P(Bu-t)(2)(o-biphenyl), the P-3((CBu)-Bu-t)(3) ligand is significantly puckered in the solid state. NICS computations on model complexes suggest this puckering only has a minor effect on the aromaticity of the heterocyclic ring.