A series of Cu(II) and Cu(I)/Cu(II) complexes containing the cis-N(amine)(2)S(thiolate)(2) copper complex rac-2 has been synthesized to provide a basis for understanding the charge-transfer spectra of mixed-valence thiolate-bridged Cu(I)/Cu(II) complexes. In combination with Cu(Me-2-13-N(4)ane), rac-2 yields a monobridged dinuclear homovalent adduct, rac-5, while reaction with CuCl yields the mixed-valance pentanuclear complex rac-6. In the presence of Cu(II)(acac)(2), chiral RR-1 reacts to form a mixed-valence pentanuclear cation RR-7. rac-6 exhibits a relatively short Cu(I)...Cu(II) contact [2.8231(9) Angstrom] and associated structural features that suggest the presence of a weak Cu(I)...Cu(II) interaction in a valence-trapped system. Additional structural features in rac-6 and RR-7 include singly and doubly bridging thiolates, three- and four-coordinated Cu(I) ions, and varying Cu(I) ligand sets. These features extend the types and complexities of electronic absorptions significantly. Spectra of rac-6 and R,R-7 exhibit multiple overlapping absorptions over the entire visible and ultraviolet spectral regions studied, consonant with these observations. Trends resulting from variations in structure type and oxidation state permit a first approach toward developing a detailed assignment of the individual ligand Rydberg, LF, LMCT, MLCT, and possible MMCT absorptions in these complexes.