Ylide–Metal Complexes. XIII. An X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic Study of Bis(dimethylsulfoxonium methylide)gold Chloride

Abstract Bis(dimethylsulfoxonium methylide)gold chloride, (CH3)2S(O)CH2AuCH2S(O)(CH3)2Cl, has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The C 1s spectrum was separated into two peaks at EB=284.0 and 285.1 eV in a ratio of 1:2. The peak at 285.1 eV corresponds to the methyl carbons, and that at 284.0 eV is assigned to the electron-rich methylene carbon (or carbanion). The EB of Cl 2p3⁄2 agreed with that for chlorobis(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) and chlorobis(triphenylmethylenephosphorane)gold(I). The EB of Au 4f7⁄2 was 84.4 eV, suggesting the oxidation number +1. These results indicate that the structure of the title complex is (CH3)2S(O)CH2Au(Cl)CH2S(O)(CH3)2, and different from that reported previously.