The photoelectron spectra of Au-(H2O)(1,2), Au-2(-)(D2O)(1-4), and AuOH- have been measured. The anionic complexes, Au-(H2O)(1,2) and Au-2(-)(D2O)(1-4), were characterized as Au- and Au-2(-), which are respectively solvated by water molecules. The stepwise spectral shifts between adjacent size species have been quantified. The photoelectron spectrum of AuOH- exhibits considerable vibrational structure. Based on our assignment of its spectrum, the adiabatic electron affinity of AuOH was determined to be 1.771 +/- 0.015 eV. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.