Unprecedented gold-tellurolate clusters [[Au.sub.8]([mu]-TeR).sub.8][(P[R'.sub.3]).sub.4]]

The high-yield synthesis of gold-tellurollate clusters [[Au.sub.8]([mu]-TeR).sub.8][[(PR'.sub.3]).sub.4]] (TeR = TePh, TeTol, [PR'.sub.3] = P[Ph.sub.3], P[Ph.sub.3]py) is described. The gold-tellurium complexes are novel due to their special structural features and luminescent behavior in solid state and in solution.