Uses
Gold (I) Chloride is used chiefly in photography as a print toning agent, as a starting solution to form other gold compounds, as a precursor to the preparation of Ultra Pure Gold Metal, in gilding ceramic ware and glass, and in the manufacture of purple of Cassius.
Chemical Properties
Yellow orthorhombic crystals; density 7.6 g/cm3; decomposes on heating at about 298°C; loses its stoichiometric composition at 170°C; very slightly soluble in cold water; decomposes in hot water; soluble in hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids, and alkali cyanide solutions.
Physical properties
Yellow orthorhombic crystals; density 7.6 g/cm
3; decomposes on heating at about 298°C; loses its stoichiometric composition at 170°C; very slightly soluble in cold water; decomposes in hot water; soluble in hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids, and alkali cyanide solutions.
Uses
Gold(I) chloride is used as a starting material for the preparation of Phosphine ligated gold(I) complexes, which is used as catalysts in synthetic chemistry. It is also used to prepare metallic gold and potassium auric bromide and potassium chloride.
Preparation
Gold(I) chloride is prepared by thermal decomposition of gold trichloride: AuCl3 AuCl + Cl2.
General Description
The structure of gold chloride is monoclinic. It sublimes at elevated temperatures.
