The diatomic gold halides AuX are studied by means of Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy and ab initio theory at a quasi-relativistic CCSD(T) level of theory. A thermokinetic approach is used to determine the bond-dissociation energies of neutral AuCl, AuBr, and AuI as well as cationic AuI ϩ , i.e., D 0 (Au-Cl) ϭ 66 Ϯ 3 kcal/mol, D 0 (Au-Br) ϭ 50 Ϯ 5 kcal/mol, as well as the brackets 52 kcal/mol Ͻ D 0 (Au-I) Ͻ 64 kcal/mol and 54 kcal/mol Ͻ D 0 (Au ϩ -I) Ͻ 66 kcal/mol at 0 K. These values allow an evaluation of previous experimental and theoretical data concerning diatomic gold halides. (J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2002, 13, 485-492)