Gold(I) chloride

Gold(I) chloride

Names
Other names Gold(I) chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	10294-29-8
ChEBI	CHEBI:30078
ChemSpider	25464
Jmol interactive 3D	Image
PubChem	27366
InChI InChI=1S/Au.ClH/h;1H/q+1;/p-1 Key: FDWREHZXQUYJFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M InChI=1/Au.ClH/h;1H/q+1;/p-1 Key: FDWREHZXQUYJFJ-REWHXWOFAM
SMILES [Au]Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	AuCl
Molar mass	232.423 g/mol
Appearance	yellow solid
Density	7.6 g/cm^3 [1]
Melting point	170 °C (338 °F; 443 K)
Boiling point	298 °C (568 °F; 571 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	very slightly soluble
Solubility	soluble in HCl, HBr organic solvents
Structure
Crystal structure	Tetragonal, tI16
Space group	I41/amd, No. 141
Hazards
Safety data sheet	MSDS
NFPA 704	0 2 0
Except where otherwise noted, data are 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