X-ray photoelectron spectra of some gold compounds

Abstract

The X-ray photoelectron spectra of a range of gold complexes with halide, phosphine, and thiol ligands is reported. Gold(I) and gold(III) complexes can readily be distinguished for each type of ligand. The use of this result is illustrated by following the decomposition of [NEt₄][AuBr₄] on exposure to the X-ray beam. Systematic variations in the binding energies of the Cl 2p, Br 3p, P 2p, and S 2p levels have been observed between ligand, gold(I), and gold(III) complexes.