Core and valence photoelectron spectroscopy of a series of substituted disulfides

The valence and core photoelectron spectra of three substituted disulfide systems, α-lipoic acid, trans-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane, and di-Boc-cystamine, are presented alongside detailed theoretical analysis based on equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles doubles for ionization potentials and the nuclear ensemble approach. A comparison of the linear and five- and six-membered ring cyclic structures reveals that the energetic separation of the non-bonding sulfur orbitals can be used to calculate a reliable estimate of the C–S–S–C dihedral angle, even for substituted disulfides, and that the sulfur 2p, oxygen 1s, and valence band photoelectron spectra are a useful site-specific probe of hydrogen bonding.