Gold(I) alkynyl complexes containing a flexible, biphenyl-derived bis(alkyne)

2,2′-Diethynylbiphenyl was prepared in a three step sequence from commercially available 2,2′-bis(bromomethyl)biphenyl and subsequently reacted with the phosphinegold(I) complexes AuCl(P)] (P = PEt₃, PCy₃, P^tBu₃, PPh₃, PTA) in the presence of base to give the bis(alkynyl) gold(I) complexes (P)Au(deb)Au(P)] in good yields as air-stable solids. The compounds were fully characterized spectroscopically and the solid state structures of 2,2′-diethynylbiphenyl as well as the PEt₃ complex were determined by X-ray diffraction. Both solution and solid-state luminescence spectra of the gold complexes were recorded.