Stable gold(I) cations: Treatment of [AuCI(SMe 2)] with AgSbF 6 in CH 2CI 2 at room temperature in the presence of norbornene leads smoothly to the formation of a complex containing the homoleptic tris (eta; 2-norbornene)gold(I) cation (see figure). The complex shows appreciable stability in the solid state and may be stabilised in solution by the addition of excess norbornene. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA.