Abstract Two methods for the synthesis of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes of ylides are used and compared, using the results described in this paper and other previously obtained in our laboratory. The two methods are: a) the reaction of precursors of the type [RCH2EPh3] [Au(C6X5)nX'] with NaH (X'= Cl, Br, I; X= F, Cl; E= P, As; n= 1, 3; R= H, Me, Ph) and b) displacement of tetrahydrothiophene (tht) in complexes of the type [Au(C6X5)n (tht)] by addition of an excess of the free ylide.