Gold(I,III) Chloride

Gold(I,III) chloride is a compound that contains both gold ions in the oxidation states of +1 and +3, as well as chloride ions. The formula for this compound is AuCl4. The Roman numerals in the name indicate the oxidation state of the gold ions.

Gold(I) ions have a +1 oxidation state, while gold(III) ions have a +3 oxidation state. In this compound, one gold ion is in the +1 oxidation state and three gold ions are in the +3 oxidation state. The total charge of the gold ions is therefore +4, which is balanced by the four chloride ions, each with a -1 charge.

Gold(I,III) chloride is a yellow solid at room temperature and is soluble in water, although the solubility decreases at lower temperatures. It is often used as a starting material for the synthesis of other gold compounds, as well as in catalysis and electrochemistry.