Unbridged Au(ii)–Au(ii) bonds are theoretically allowed†
Abstract
The bonding in the unbridged closed-shell Au(II)–Au(II) dimers X4Au2(C5H5N)2, X = H, F–I and CF3, is analyzed and the short Au–Au bonds around 250 pm are reproduced by a novel 6s6pz5dxy hybridization.