Auger parameter and chemical state plots for copper- and zinc-containing compounds: charge distribution and screening effects

Cu- and Zn-containing compounds are characterised making use of the Wagner Auger parameter and of the so-called chemical state plots to obtain information on the relative initial-state charge distributions and on the relative extra-atomic relaxation energy. The position in the plots of different classes of compounds is discussed. To explain the constancy of the Auger parameter for Cu(II) compounds and metallic Cu, it is suggested that the energy involved in the electron transfer 2p 5 3d 10 L is similar to the screening energy in the metallic state.