GOLD(I) CYANIDE Property

Melting point:

~50°C

Density 

7,12 g/cm³

solubility 

insoluble in H2O, ethanol, ethyl ether,dilute acid solutions

form 

Powder

Specific Gravity

7.14

color 

Yellow

Water Solubility 

Slightly soluble in water.

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Merck 

14,4516

Exposure limits

NIOSH: IDLH 25 mg/m3

CAS DataBase Reference

506-65-0(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Gold cyanide (Au(CN)) (506-65-0)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T+,N

Risk Statements 

26/27/28-32-50/53

Safety Statements 

7-28-29-60-61-45

RIDADR 

1588

WGK Germany 

3

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

28433000

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H290May be corrosive to metals

H301Toxic if swalloed

H310Fatal in contact with skin

H315Causes skin irritation

H318Causes serious eye damage

H330Fatal if inhaled

H400Very toxic to aquatic life

H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P284Wear respiratory protection.

P301+P310IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

P320Specific treatment is urgent (see … on this label).

P330Rinse mouth.

P405Store locked up.

GOLD(I) CYANIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

yellow powder(s); hexagonal; odorless; iridescent in sunlight; slowly decomposes in presence of moisture [MER06]

Physical properties

Yellow hexagonal crystals; odorless; density 7.14 g/cm³; decomposes slowly in the presence of moisture or decomposes on heating; insoluble in water, alcohol and ether; also insoluble in dilute acids; soluble in aqueous solutions of potassium-, or sodium cyanide, ammonia, and aqua regia.

Uses

Electrolyte in the electroplating industry

Preparation

Gold(I) cyanide may be prepared by boiling sodium aurus cyanide, Na[Au(CN)₂] with hydrochloric acid:Na[Au(CN)2] + HCl AuCN + HCN + NaCl
The complex cyanide, Na[Au(CN)₂] is made by dissolving gold in a dilute solution of sodium cyanide in the presence of air; or by dissolution of a gold anode in a solution of sodium cyanide during electrolysis. The solution is evaporated to separate the complex, Na[Au(CN)₂], which is purified by recrystallization from water. Potassium cyanide may be used instead of sodium cyanide to prepare gold(I) cyanide.

Hazard

Toxic material.

Purification Methods

The lemon yellow powder is sparingly soluble in H2O and EtOH but soluble in aqueous NH3. It is obtained by heating H[Au(CN)2] at 110o. Wash it well with H2O and EtOH and dry it at 110o. It has an IR band at max 2239 cm -1 typical for C stretching vibration. [Glemser & Sauer Handbook of Preparative Inorg anic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol II p 1064 1965.] CARE: may evolve HCN.