Mimicry with gold

Gold can be used to synthesize analogues of many gitonic dications, formed as temporary intermediates in the reactions catalyzed by superacids. The analogue of the diprotonated water, (H4O)2+, is formed by using an Au(I) fragment as an isolobal substitute for H+. Au analogues of CH5+, CH6+, diprotonated methane, and NH5+ have also been prepared. Although these gitonic dications are unstable, the Au analogues are stable due to Au-Au binding.