The reaction of the chelating P,N ligand RN=C(Bu-t)CH(R)PPh2 (R = SiMe3) (1) with CuCl and CuCl2 (probably by way of reduction to Cu(I) by the phosphine ligand) or Cu(NCCH3)(4)ClO4 yielded the dimeric 1:1 complex [CuPPh2CH(R)C(Bu-t)=NR}Cl](2) (2) or the monomeric 2:1 complex [CuPPh2CH(R)C(Bu-t)=NR}(2)]ClO4 ( 3), respectively. The presence of trace amounts of water during the reaction resulted in the successive cleavage of the two trimethylsilyl groups of the ligand and the formation of the monomeric chelate complexes [CuPPh2CH(R)C(Bu-t)=NH}(2)]ClO4 (4) and [CuPPh2CH2C(Bu-t)=NH}(2)]ClO4 (5). Oxidation of 5 by atmospheric oxygen led to small quantities of the blue Cu(II) complex [Cu(O)PPh2CH2C(Bu-t)=NH}(2)](ClO4)(2) (6). The dimeric gold complexes [AuPPh2CH2C(Bu-t)=NH}](2)X-2 (X = BF4, ClO4) (7) were similarly obtained from the previously described AuPPh2CH(R)C(Bu-t)=NR}Cl by replacing the covalently bound chlorine with the weakly coordinating anions ClO4- and BF4- in the presence of small quantities of water. The solution and solid state structures (except 5) of all complexes were determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.