Nitratoauric acid

Nitratoauric acid, hydrogen tetranitratoaurate, or simply called gold(III) nitrate is a crystalline gold compound that forms the trihydrate, HAu(NO3)4·3H2O or more correctly H5O2Au(NO3)4·H2O.

[3][2] This compound is an intermediate in the process of extracting gold.

[5] Nitratoauric acid is prepared by the reaction of gold(III) hydroxide and concentrated nitric acid at 100 °C:[2][5] This compound reacts with potassium nitrate to form potassium tetranitratoaurate at 0 °C:[6] Nitratoauric acid trihydrate decomposes to the monohydrate at 72 °C.

[2] The production of the simple nitrate (Au(NO3)3) was reported from the reaction of gold oxide and dinitrogen pentoxide, however, this was later proven to be nitronium tetranitratoaurate ((NO2)Au(NO3)4).

The hydrolysis of this compound produces fulminating gold.

NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentine Flammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. water Instability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorus Special hazard OX: Oxidizer. E.g. potassium perchlorate