Gold(III) Chloride

Basic Information of Gold(III) Chloride

CAS No.	13453-07-1
EC No.	236-623-1
Chemical Formula	AuCl₃
Molecular Weight	303.32 g/mol
Appearance	Dark red to reddish-brown crystalline powder
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	Decomposes before melting (~254 °C)
Boiling point	Not applicable (decomposes)
Density	approx. 4.7 g/cm³
Solubility	Highly soluble in water (hydrolyzes); soluble in HCl, acetonitrile, DMF, DMSO (forms complexes)
Nature (hazards)	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause allergic skin reaction, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, toxic to aquatic life
RIDADR	UN 3260, Corrosive solid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s. (Gold(III) chloride), Class 8, Packing Group III
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Gold(III) Chloride

Gold(III) Chloride serves as a versatile Au(III) precursor, readily forming active gold species for catalytic and materials processes across multiple sectors.

1. Homogeneous Gold Catalysis
   Acts as the primary gold source for generating Au(I)/Au(III) catalysts in C–H activation, hydroamination, cycloisomerization, and alkyne hydration, offering high selectivity in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis.

2. Gold Nanoparticle & Colloid Synthesis
   Enables controlled reduction to produce stable Au nanoparticles, colloids, or supported clusters for plasmonics, sensing, catalysis, and biomedical applications with tunable size and dispersion.

3. Organometallic Gold Complex Preparation
   Serves as starting material for synthesizing Au(III) and Au(I) coordination compounds with phosphines, N-heterocyclic carbenes, or other ligands in organometallic research.

4. Thin-Film & CVD Gold Deposition
   Used in solution-based or vapor-phase processes to deposit high-purity gold films, electrodes, or seed layers in microelectronics, sensors, and plasmonic devices.

5. Pharmaceutical & Natural Product Synthesis
   Facilitates Au-catalyzed transformations and provides a halide source in processes requiring controlled gold introduction for drug discovery and natural product derivatization.

6. Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology
   Supports preparation of Au-modified surfaces, nanostructures, and functional materials for catalysis, biosensing, and optoelectronics.

• High Gold Content Consistency
  Rigorous analytical verification ensures accurate Au assay, minimal impurities, and batch-to-batch reproducibility for reliable precursor performance.

• Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
  Transparent, responsible gold procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing amid market fluctuations.

• Technical Application Guidance
  Dedicated specialists provide advice on dissolution, complex formation, reduction protocols, and process optimization for your specific applications.

• Full Regulatory Compliance
  Comprehensive documentation including COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS to facilitate global operations and audits.

• Sustainability & Recycling Support
  Ethical sourcing practices and gold recovery/recycling programs aligned with ESG objectives and circular economy principles.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion (Category 1B); Serious Eye Damage (Category 1); Skin Sensitization (Category 1); Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Aquatic Chronic (Category 2)

• Hazard Statements: H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction; H302: Harmful if swallowed; H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

• UN Number: UN 3260

• Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)

• Packing Group: III