The synthesis, NMR and X-ray analysis of tris(1-ethyl-2-isopropylimidazol-5-yl)phosphine gold (I)-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranoside, a bifunctional auranofin analogue

A derivative of auranofin, a drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, was synthesised and examined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The derivative, which contains a trisimidazole phosphine, was designed to complex hard metals in addition to binding to the gold(I) centre.