For example, in dry dibutyl ether or diethylene glycol, the solubility exceeds 1 M.[4][5][6] Saturated solutions in the organic solvents often are the liquid solvates of specific stoichiometry.

When heated in air, solid H[AuCl4]·nH2O melts in the water of crystallization, quickly darkens and becomes dark brown.

Since [AuCl4]− is prone to hydrolyze,[7] upon treatment with an alkali metal base, chloroauric acid converts to gold(III) hydroxide.

Often the ligand serves as reducing agent as illustrated with thiourea, CS(NH2)2: Chloroauric acid is the precursor to gold nanoparticles by precipitation onto mineral supports.

[13] Gold nanostructures can be made from chloroauric acid in a two-phase redox reaction whereby metallic clusters are amassed through the simultaneous attachment of self-assembled thiol monolayers on the growing nuclei.

Liquid–liquid extraction of chloroauric acid is used for the recovery, concentrating, purification, and analytical determinations of gold.

[4][5][6] Frequently used extractants for this purpose are dibutyl glycol, methyl isobutyl ketone, tributyl phosphate, dichlorodiethyl ether (chlorex).

The sodium salt is used in a process called "toning" to improve the optical definition of tissue sections stained with silver.