Synonyms: Hydrogen Tetrachloro Aurate(III), Chloroauric Acid, Gold Acid Chloride
CAS: (for Gold Chloride Solution) 16903-35-8
CAS: (for HAuCl4•3H2O) 16961-25-4
Formula Weight: 339.766 (1.000% Gold metal by weight) (for HAuCl4)
Chemical Formula: Common: AuCl3 (1.534%) in water solution
Chemical Formula: Technical: HAuCl4.nH2O
Solubility: 68g/100ml (cold) -or- 680g/Liter (cold)
Gold Ions: 1.000%
Chlorine Ions: 0.718%
Hydrogen Ions: 0.01%
Water: 98.18%
Health Rating: 1 – Mild. Gold Chloride solution will turn skin purple.
Flammability Rating: 0 – None
Reactivity Rating: 0 – Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions.
Lab Protective Equip: Safety goggles and/or face shield. Latex gloves.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Liquid will sting the nasal passages and turn them purple. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Ingestion: If swallowed, Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact: Gold Chloride solution will turn skin purple. The proteins in skin reduce the Gold Ions to a metallic purple state. Over time, the skin will return it it’s normal color.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of distilled water. Get medical attention immediately.
Fire: Use an extinguishing agent suitable for surrounding fires.
Explosion: Can react with ammonia to form an explosive Fulminating Gold when dry.
Clean up in a way that doesn’t disperse the liquid.
Special Note: Use ordinary household aluminum foil on spills to convert the Gold ions into harmless, black, Gold metal powder.
Do not get on eyes, skin or clothing. Store in a closed container. Gold Chloride is not light sensitive.
Special Note: To preserve the value of Gold Chloride solution, never allow it to come in contact with metal objects. All metals (except Platinum) will reduce the Gold Ions into it’s black, Gold Powder form. Even using a metal spoon to stir the solution will deposit black gold powder from the solution.
Appearance: Attractive golden yellow liquid.
Odor: Odorless.
Solubility: Extremely soluble in hot or cold water.
pH: acidic (due to the Chlorine and Hydrogen Ions in solution)
Boiling Point: 100°C (212°F).
Melting Point: not applicable.
Stability: Stable at room temperature in sealed containers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Minor evolution of Chlorine gas.
Incompatibilities: Ammonia. Forms explosive when dry.
Conditions to Avoid: Do not allow solutions of Gold Chloride and Ammonia to dry out. Do not allow Gold Chloride solutions to come into contact with any metal objects (except Platinum) – else the Gold Ions will be reduced to a fine, black, gold powder.
Domestic (Land, DOT)
ORM-D: Since it is so dilute, 1% solution can ship 1 Liter without restriction.
Canada: Cannot ship to Canada, this is a Canadian restricted item.
Salt Lake Metals
1115 East Brigadoon Court
Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Tel: 801-265-8921
Email: mrets@xmission.com
www.saltlakemetals.com