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7440-57-5

Name GOLD
CAS 7440-57-5
EINECS(EC#) 231-165-9
Molecular Formula Au
MDL Number MFCD00003436
Molecular Weight 196.97
MOL File 7440-57-5.mol

Chemical Properties

Definition Metallic element of atomic number 79, Group IB of the periodic table, aw 196.9665, valences of 1, 3; no stable isotopes.
Appearance yellow metal
Melting point  1063 °C (lit.)
Boiling point  2808 °C (lit.)
density  19.3 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
refractive index  n20/589.3 1.523
Fp  4 °C
storage temp.  2-8°C
solubility  H2O: soluble
form  wire
color  purple
Specific Gravity 19.3
PH 6-8
PH Range 6 - 8
Stability: Stable. May react with halogens, strong oxidizing agents, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide. Reaction with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide may form explosive materials.
Resistivity 2.05 μΩ-cm, 0°C
Water Solubility  Soluble in hot sulfuric acid and aqua regia. Insoluble in water and acid.
Sensitive  Light Sensitive
Merck  13,4529
Exposure limits NIOSH: IDLH 25 mg/m3
History Known and highly valued from earliest times, gold is found in nature as the free metal and in tellurides; it is very widely distributed and is almost always associated with quartz or pyrite. It occurs in veins and alluvial deposits, and is often separated from rocks and other minerals by sluicing and panning operations. About 25% of the world’s gold output comes from South Africa, and about two thirds of the total U.S. production now comes from South Dakota and Nevada. The metal is recovered from its ores by cyaniding, amalgamating, and smelting processes. Refining is also frequently done by electrolysis. Gold occurs in sea water to the extent of 0.1 to 2 mg/ton, depending on the location where the sample is taken. As yet, no method has been found for recovering gold from sea water profitably. It is estimated that all the gold in the world, so far refined, could be placed in a single cube 60 ft on a side. Of all the elements, gold in its pure state is undoubtedly the most beautiful. It is metallic, having a yellow color when in a mass, but when finely divided it may be black, ruby, or purple. The Purple of Cassius is a delicate test for auric gold. It is the most malleable and ductile metal; 1 oz. of gold can be beaten out to 300 ft2. It is a soft metal and is usually alloyed to give it more strength. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and is unaffected by air and most reagents. It is used in coinage and is a standard for monetary systems in many countries. It is also extensively used for jewelry, decoration, dental work, and for plating. It is used for coating certain space satellites, as it is a good reflector of infrared and is inert. Gold, like other precious metals, is measured in troy weight; when alloyed with other metals, the term carat is used to express the amount of gold present, 24 carats being pure gold. For many years the value of gold was set by the U.S. at $20.67/troy ounce; in 1934 this value was fixed by law at $35.00/troy ounce, 9/10th fine. On March 17, 1968, because of a gold crisis, a two-tiered pricing system was established whereby gold was still used to settle international accounts at the old $35.00/troy ounce price while the price of gold on the private market would be allowed to fluctuate. Since this time, the price of gold on the free market has fluctuated widely. The price of gold on the free market reached a price of $620/troy oz. in January 1980. More recently, the U.K. and other nations, including the I.M.F. have sold or threatened to sell a sizeable portion of their gold reserves. This has caused wide fluctuations in the price of gold. Because this has damaged the economy of some countries, a moratorium for a few years has been declared. This has tended to stabilize temporarily the price of gold. The most common gold compounds are auric chloride (AuCl3) and chlorauric acid (HAuCl4), the latter being used in photography for toning the silver image. Gold has forty-eight recognized isotopes and isomers; 198Au, with a half-life of 2.7 days, is used for treating cancer and other diseases. Disodium aurothiomalate is administered intramuscularly as a treatment for arthritis. A mixture of one part nitric acid with three of hydrochloric acid is called aqua regia (because it dissolved gold, the King of Metals). Gold is available commercially with a purity of 99.999+%. For many years the temperature assigned to the freezing point of gold has been 1063.0°C; this has served as a calibration point for the International Temperature Scales (ITS-27 and ITS-48) and the International Practical Temperature Scale (IPTS-48). In 1968, a new International Practical Temperature Scale (IPTS68) was adopted, which demanded that the freezing point of gold be changed to 1064.43°C. In 1990 a new International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) was adopted bringing the t.p.(triple point) of H2O (t90 (°C)) to 0.01°C and the freezing point of gold to 1064.18°C. The specific gravity of gold has been found to vary considerably depending on temperature, how the metal is precipitated, and cold-worked. As of December 2001, gold was priced at about $275/troy oz. ($8.50/g).
CAS DataBase Reference 7440-57-5(CAS DataBase Reference)
EPA Substance Registry System Gold (7440-57-5)

Safety Data

Hazard Codes  Xi,Xn,F
Risk Statements 
R36/38:Irritating to eyes and skin .
R43:May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R67:Vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
R65:Harmful: May cause lung damage if swallowed.
R63:Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R48/20:Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation .
R38:Irritating to the skin.
R11:Highly Flammable.
R34:Causes burns.
R23:Toxic by inhalation.
Safety Statements 
S26:In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice .
S36/37/39:Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection .
S45:In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible) .
S62:If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label .
S36/37:Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves .
RIDADR  UN 1789 8/PG 3
WGK Germany  3
RTECS  MD5420000
TSCA  Yes
HazardClass  6.1
PackingGroup  II
HS Code  71159010
Safety Profile
Poison by intravenous route. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data by implantation. Can form explosive compounds with NH3, NH4OH + aqua regia, H2O2. Incompatible with mixtures containing chlorides, bromides, or iocbdes (if they can generate nascent halogens), some oxidizing materials (especially those containing halogens), alkali cyanides, thiocyanate solutions, and double cyanides. See also GOLD COMPOUNDS.
Hazardous Substances Data 7440-57-5(Hazardous Substances Data)

Hazard Information

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