A luminescent hydrogel based on a new Au(i) complex

The reaction of the water soluble phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) with [Au(CC–C5H4N)]n yields the highly luminescent water soluble [(PTA)Au(4-pyridylethynyl)] complex. A detailed analysis of the compound shows the formation of gel structure giving rise to very long fibers, being the first example reported with such a simple structure.