In this paper the extraction of gold with 1,2-bisalkyl (aryl) thioethane(L) -- 1, 2-bis (n-octylthio) ethane (BOTE), 1, 2-bis (n-amylthio) ethame (BATE), 1,2-bis(phenylthio) ethane (BPTE) and complexes have been studied. Gold is extracted with high efficiency and may be quantitatively isolated with bisalkylthioethane. In solution, 1:1 and 2:1 complexes are found at [L] > [Au]and [Au] > [L] respectively. In solid state, only complexes of formulas (AuCl3)2L and (AuCl)2L are formed. The IR and ^^1H NMR spectra of complexes of Au(II), Au(I) with BOTE, BATE are discussed. The IR date support the conclusion suggested in literature for linear configuration of Au(I) complexes and the apparent analogy between the 1H NMR of complexes and tree ligand is explained by an exchange mechanism of Au atom. For Au(II) complexes, the IR data of low frequency are analysed in detail and there are new evidences supporting that the complexes are ionic.

Key words: GOLD, INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, HYDROGEN, EXTRACTIVE AGENT, NMR SPECTROMETRY, EXTRACTION, SULFUR ETHER, SULFUR ETHER, GOLD COMPLEX, ETHANETHIOL P