Gold(I) Cyanide

Gold(I) cyanide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula AuCN. In this compound, gold has an oxidation state of +1, denoted by (I), and is bound to a cyanide ion, CN-. The compound exists as a yellow crystalline solid at room temperature.

Gold(I) cyanide is often used as a precursor for the synthesis of other gold compounds or as a reagent in organic chemistry reactions. It is soluble in water and polar organic solvents such as ethanol or acetone, but insoluble in non-polar solvents such as hexane.

The structure of gold(I) cyanide consists of polymeric chains formed by the bridging cyanide ligands between adjacent gold atoms. Each gold atom is also coordinated to two cyanide ligands in a linear configuration, resulting in a linear coordination polymer. The arrangement of gold(I) ions and cyanide ligands gives rise to a characteristic absorption band in the infrared spectrum at around 2090 cm-1, which is attributed to the stretching vibration of the C≡N bond.

Gold(I) cyanide is toxic and should be handled with care. The cyanide ion can readily form complexes with many metal ions, including iron(III) and copper(II), leading to the inhibition of important enzymes in biological systems. Therefore, precautions should be taken when handling gold(I) cyanide to prevent its release into the environment or exposure to living organisms.