Well defined difluorogold(iii) complexes supported by N-ligands

Stable difluorogold(iii) complexes can be easily synthesized either via oxidation of N-ligated cationic Au(i) precursors using XeF2 or from tricationic Au(iii) precursors by displacement of the N-ligands using fluoride from economical KF. X-ray crystallographic studies of the bisimidazole ligated derivative shows the shortest Au-F bond known in a gold complex.