title: The chemistry of gold as an anion.
abstract: Due to relativistic and classical shell structure effects, the 6s orbital of gold is significantly contracted and energetically stabilized. This is reflected by a strikingly high electron affinity, and a distinct tendency to adopt negatively polarized valence states. This tutorial review focuses on the chemistry of gold as an anion, displaying the integral ionic charge number of 1-. Two synthetic approaches to compounds containing monoatomic gold anions have become available: (1) reacting elemental gold with molten caesium and an oxide, e.g. Cs2O; (2) metathesis reactions involving Au- dissolved in liquid ammonia. Both procedures have proven to be rather versatile. Aurides synthesized along these routes are surveyed, in particular with respect to their structures and bonding properties.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Heisenbergstr. 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany. m.jansen@fkf.mpg.de
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jansen