Reaction of NaH with [Au(C₆F₅)₂{Ph₂PCH(MPPh₃)PPh₂(CHCO₂Me)}]ClO₄(M = Au or Ag) results in both deprotonation of the PCHP group and elimination of the anion and leads to the auracycles [Au(C₆F₅)₂{Ph₂PC(MPPh₃)PPh₂(CHCO₂Me)}]. The methanediide C atom in these neutral complexes is a nucleophile and can function as a donor atom [by reaction with gold(I) or silver(I) complexes] to form neutral or cationic trinuclear complexes: [Au(C₆F₅)₂{Ph₂PC(MPPh₃)(AuC₆F₅)PPh₂(CHCO₂Me)}] or [Au(C₆F₅)₂{Ph₂PC(MPPh₃)(M′PPh₃)PPh₂(CHCO₂Me)}]ClO₄. The structure of [Au(C₆F₅)₂{Ph₂PC(AuPPh₃)(AuC₆F₅)PPh₂(CHCO₂Me)}] was solved by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in space group P, with a= 14.257(5), b= 14.404(5), c= 17.756(6)Å, α= 80.15(3), β= 66.37(3), γ= 73.84(3)°, Z= 2 and R(F)= 0.052 (at – 100 °C). The configuration at the methanediide carbon is R and at the ester-bearing carbon is S(both enantiomers are present). The Au^I⋯ Au^I distance is 2.957 (2)Å.