What Is Gold Chloride?
Gold chloride, often referred to under the general term, encompasses various compounds including gold(I) chloride (AuCl), gold(III) chloride (AuCl3), and tetragold octachloride (Au4Cl8). The most stable and commonly used is gold(III) chloride, which appears as red to reddish-brown crystals. Gold(III) chloride can be produced by reacting metallic gold with chlorine gas at high temperatures or by heating chloroauric acid.
Gold chloride is known to be a skin corrosive/irritant, eye irritant, and skin sensitizer. It is also classified as a hazardous substance.
Uses of Gold Chloride
Gold chloride has various applications including in gold plating, the production of photosensitive materials, and the manufacture of gold powder. Recently, other gold compounds like chloroauric acid have gained prominence in gold-related applications.
A unique application of gold chloride is its role as a catalyst. Sodium tetrachloroaurate, derived from gold chloride, is being explored as a catalyst in reactions involving alkynes. Gold(III) chloride is also utilized as a catalyst in the amination of alkynes.