Title: Gold Trichloride, Acid
CAS Registry Number: 16903-35-8
CAS Name: (
SP-4-1)-Hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(1-)
Synonyms: hydrochloroauric acid; aurochlorohydric acid; chloroauric acid
Molecular Formula: AuCl4H
Molecular Weight: 339.79
Percent Composition: Au 57.97%, Cl 41.74%, H 0.30%
Line Formula: HAuCl4
Literature References: Prepd according to the equation 2Au + 3Cl2 + 2HCl ? 2HAuCl4: Thomsen,
Ber. 16, 1585 (1883); Biltz, Wein,
Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 148, 192 (1925).
Derivative Type: Tetrahydrate
Properties: Golden-yellow to reddish-yellow, very hygroscopic and deliquesc monoclinic crystals; readily affected by sunlight. (Also available as brown crystals or cryst masses, contg 50-51% gold, and having the same properties as the yellow crystals.) Has caustic action on the skin (blisters) and then on exposure to light leaves violet-brown spots. Dec on strong heating to Cl2, HCl, and metallic gold. d about 3.9. Very sol in water, alcohol; sol in ether.
Keep tightly closed and protected from light.
Density: d about 3.9
Use: Photography, gold-plating, gilding glass and porcelain, manuf ruby glass; as a reagent for alkaloids.