Gold(I) chloride

Gold(I) chloride
Names
Other names
Gold(I) chloride
Identifiers
10294-29-8 
ChEBI CHEBI:30078 Yes
ChemSpider 25464 Yes
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 27366
Properties
AuCl
Molar mass 232.423 g/mol
Appearance yellow solid
Density 7.6 g/cm3 [1]
Melting point 170 °C (338 °F; 443 K)
Boiling point 298 °C (568 °F; 571 K) (decomposes)
very slightly soluble
Solubility soluble in HCl, HBr organic solvents
Structure
Crystal structure Tetragonal, tI16
Space group I41/amd, No. 141
Hazards
MSDS MSDS
NFPA 704
Flammability code 0: Will not burn. E.g., water Health code 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g., chloroform Reactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g., liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
0
2
0
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Gold(I) chloride is a compound of gold and chlorine with the chemical formula AuCl.

Preparation

Gold(I) chloride is prepared by thermal decomposition of gold(III) chloride.

Reactions

Although there is a region of stability at higher temperatures at the appropriate chlorine vapor pressures, the compound is metastable at ambient conditions. When heated with water, the compound disporpotionates to metallic gold and gold(III) chloride in an autoredox reaction:

3 AuCl → 2 Au + AuCl3

Reaction with potassium bromide yields potassium auric bromide and potassium chloride with separation of metallic gold:

3 AuCl + 4 KBr → KAuBr4 + 2 Au + 3 KCl

Safety

Gold(I) chloride may irritate the skin and eyes, damage kidney function, and reduce white blood cell counts.

References

  1. ↑ Pradyot Patnaik. Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN 0-07-049439-8