The precursors [AuR_m(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂Me)]ClO₄(R_m= one or three uninegative ligands) react with excess of NaH by deprotonation of the methylene group and simultaneous elimination of the ClO₄ anion to give the neutral methanide complexes [AuR_m(Ph₂PCHPPh₂Me)], which are potential C-donor ligands; these react with complexes of Au^I, Au^III, or Ag^I to form di- or tri-nuclear derivatives of the types [R_mAu{Ph₂PCH(PPh₂Me)}AuX](X = Cl or C₆F₅), [{(C₆F₅)AuPh₂PCH(PPh₂Me)}₂M]X (M = Au or Ag; X = AuCl₂ or ClO₄), or [(C₆F₅)Au{Ph₂PCH(PPh₂Me)}Au(C₆F₅)₃]. The structure of [Au(C₆F₅)(Ph₂PCHPPh₂Me)] has been determined by X-ray diffraction [space group P, a= 8.888(2), b= 13.053(3), c= 14.230(4)Å, α= 103.15(2), β= 107.22(2), γ= 102.28(2)°, R= 0.026 for 4 806 reflections], as has that of [(C₆F₅)Au{Ph₂P[graphic omitted]u(C₆F₅)][space group P2₁/n, a= 12.127(3), b= 22.758(6), c= 13.433(3)Å, β= 98.97(2)°, R= 0.051 for 4 798 reflections]. In the methanide moieties the P–C bond lengths are much longer, and the P–C–P angles much smaller, in the latter compound, reflecting the reduced electron delocalisation in the P–C–P system when the methanide C functions as a donor ligand.