Gold(III) hydroxide, gold trihydroxide, or gold hydroxide is an
inorganic compound
In chemistry, an inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds, that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as '' inorganic chemist ...
, a
hydroxide of
gold, with formula Au(OH)
3. It is also called auric acid with formula H
3AuO
3. It is easily dehydrated above 140 °C to
gold(III) oxide
Gold(III) oxide (Au2O3) is an inorganic compound of gold and oxygen with the formula Au2O3. It is a red-brown solid that decomposes at 298 °C.
According to X-ray crystallography, AuO features square planar gold centers with both 2- and 3- ...
. Salts of auric acid are termed aurates.
Gold hydroxide is used in medicine,
porcelain making,
gold plating, and
daguerrotypes. Gold hydroxide deposited on suitable carriers can be used for preparation of gold
catalysts.
Gold hydroxide is a product of electrochemical
corrosion of gold metalization subjected to moisture and positive electric potential; it is one of the
corrosion failure modes of
microelectronics. Voluminous gold hydroxide is produced from gold metalization; after the layer grows thick it may
spall, and the conductive particles may cause short circuits or leakage paths. The decreased thickness of the gold layer may also lead to an increase in its electrical resistance, which can also lead to electrical failure.
Preparation and reactions
Gold(III) hydroxide is produced by the reaction of
chloroauric acid with an alkali, such as
sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations and hydroxide anions .
Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali ...
:
:HAuCl
4 + 4NaOH → Au(OH)
3 + 4NaCl + H
2O
Gold(III) hydroxide reacts with ammonia to produce
fulminating gold, an explosive compound.
References
Gold(III) compounds
Hydroxides
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