The gold complexes [RN=C(RЈ)CH(R)PPh 2 (AuCl)] (6a, RЈ = tBu; 6b, RЈ = Ad; R = SiMe 3 ) were synthesised from the ketimines RN=C(RЈ)CH(R)PPh 2 (2a, RЈ = tBu; 2b, RЈ = Ad; R = SiMe 3 ) and Me 2 SAuCl. The hydrolysis of the complexes to [H 2 NC(RЈ)=CHPPh 2 (AuCl)] (8a, RЈ = tBu; 8b, RЈ = Ad) in protic solvents was studied and the reaction intermediate [H(R) NC(tBu)=CHPPh 2 (AuCl)] (7a) was isolated. The ketimines were further reacted with PhPCl 2 to the cyclic phosphonium