A novel methodology for the synthesis of complexes containing long carbon chains linking metal centres: molecular structures of [Ru(dppe)Cp*]2(mu-C14) and [Co3(mu-dppm)(CO)7]2(mu3:mu3-C16).

Elimination of AuX(PR3)(X = halogen, R = Ph, tol) occurs readily in reactions between compounds containing C(sp)- or C(sp2)-X bonds and alkynyl or polyynyl gold(I) complexes; this reaction has been applied to the syntheses of complexes containing a variety of metal centres linked by C(n) chains (n up to 16).