The first detailed kinetic analysis and mechanistic interpretation of the reactions between serum albumin and the second-generation gold drug Auranofin [Et(3)PAuSATg = (triethylphosphine)(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-beta-D-glucopyranosato-S-) gold(I)] and its triisopropylphosphine analogue, iPr(3)PAuSATg, in vitro are reported. The reactions were investigated using Penefsky spun columns and NMR saturation transfer methods. Under the Penefsky chromatography conditions with 0.4-0.6 mM albumin and a wide range of Et(3)PAuSATg concentrations, the reaction is biphasic. The fast phase is apparently first order in albumin with a rate constant [k(1) = 3.4 +/- 0.3 x 10(-2) s(-1)] that decreases slightly in magnitude and becomes intermediate in order at low gold concentrations, [Et(3)PAuSATg] [AlbSHH]; it accounts for similar to 95% of the Au(I) that binds.