An efficient approach to chloro(organophosphine) gold(I) complexes for the synthesis of auranofin

A practical and efficient synthesis of chloro(organophosphine) gold(I) complexes is reported. Employment of 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide as a safe and non-irritating reductant is highlighted for the generation of Au(I)–S intermediates, which could be trapped by mono- and bidentate phosphine ligands to provide organophosphine gold(I) complexes. The utility of the present method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of the antiarthritic drug auranofin.