Precious metal compounds

Silver(I) oxide is a dark brown-black, light-sensitive powder used as a mild oxidant and base in organic synthesis: Koenigs–Knorr glycosylation, O-alkylation of sensitive substrates, oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, and the preparation of silver carboxylates and silver N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) transfer agents. It is the cathode material of silver-oxide button cells, a precursor for silver catalysts and conductive silver films, and a yellow colourant for glass and ceramic glazes. Decomposes cleanly to silver and oxygen above about 280 °C. Each lot is assayed for silver and released with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Ag ≥ 92.5%

Pack sizes

25 g, 100 g, 500 g

Silver carbonate is a pale yellow, light-sensitive powder used as a stoichiometric base and halide scavenger in palladium-catalysed C–H activation and cross-coupling, as the promoter in Koenigs–Knorr glycosylation, and, supported on Celite as Fétizon's reagent, for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. It is also a convenient precursor for silver catalysts and silver(I) complexes. Approximately 78% silver by mass; every lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Ag ≥ 77%

Pack sizes

25 g, 100 g, 500 g

Silver acetate is a white to grey-white crystalline solid, moderately soluble in water, used as a soluble silver source and mild oxidant in organic synthesis: decarboxylative and oxidative couplings, acetoxylation, silver-catalysed cycloadditions of azomethine ylides, halide abstraction from metal complexes and the preparation of silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes. It is also the silver precursor in reactive silver inks and antimicrobial coatings. Approximately 64.6% silver by mass; supplied with a lot-specific assay and certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Ag ≥ 64%

Pack sizes

25 g, 100 g, 500 g

Fine silver metal powder, ≥99.9% Ag, for conductive inks, pastes and adhesives, silver catalysts (including the preparation of ethylene oxide and formaldehyde catalysts), brazing and sintering pastes, silver-oxide and silver-zinc battery electrodes, and antimicrobial composites. Particle-size distribution and apparent density are reported on the certificate of analysis for each lot. Classified and labelled according to the EU harmonised entry for silver powder in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.

Grade

≥99.9% Ag (metals basis)

Pack sizes

100 g, 500 g, 1 kg

Chloroauric acid trihydrate is the workhorse gold precursor for colloidal gold and gold nanoparticle synthesis (Turkevich, Brust–Schiffrin, seeded growth), homogeneous gold catalysis, electroless and electrolytic gold plating, immunogold labelling for electron microscopy, ruby glass and Purple of Cassius, and gold-based pharmaceuticals research. Each lot is assayed for gold content and supplied with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Au ≈ 50%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) dihydrate is a water-soluble, orange-yellow gold(III) salt that serves as a less acidic, easier-to-handle alternative to chloroauric acid. It is a standard precursor for gold nanoparticles and colloids, for supported gold catalysts made by deposition–precipitation (for example Au/TiO2), for homogeneous gold(III) catalysis, for electroless and immersion gold plating baths, and for gold coordination compounds. Approximately 49.5% gold by mass; gold content is assayed on every lot.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Au ≈ 49.5%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) is a yellow to orange crystalline gold(III) salt, soluble in water and alcohols, used as a precursor for gold nanoparticles and thin films, for supported and homogeneous gold catalysts, in gold electroplating and decorative gilding formulations, and for the synthesis of gold(III) and gold(I) complexes. Approximately 52% gold by mass; supplied with a lot-specific gold assay and certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Au ≈ 52%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Palladium(II) acetate is the most widely used palladium precatalyst in organic synthesis: Suzuki–Miyaura, Heck, Buchwald–Hartwig, Sonogashira, Negishi and Stille couplings, C–H activation and functionalisation, and Wacker-type oxidations. It is also the usual starting point for Pd nanoparticles, supported palladium catalysts and palladacycles. Supplied as the pure trimer, free of the nitrite-containing impurity, with a lot-specific palladium assay.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd 47.4%, trimer form

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g, 100 g

Palladium(II) chloride is a dark red-brown, hygroscopic solid and the most common entry point to palladium chemistry. It is the precursor to PdCl2(PPh3)2, PdCl2(dppf), PdCl2(MeCN)2, sodium and potassium tetrachloropalladate and tetraamminepalladium salts; the catalyst of the Wacker oxidation; a source for Pd/C and other supported hydrogenation catalysts; and the sensitiser used in electroless plating activation. It is also used in carbon monoxide detectors and test papers. Approximately 60% palladium by mass; each lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≥ 59.5%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g, 100 g

Palladium(II) nitrate dihydrate is a water-soluble, brown, hygroscopic palladium salt used to prepare supported palladium catalysts by impregnation (automotive three-way and diesel oxidation catalysts, Pd/Al2O3, Pd/C), as a chemical matrix modifier in graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, as a halide-free palladium source for palladium nanoparticles and electrocatalysts, and in palladium plating. Approximately 40% palladium by mass; supplied with a lot-specific palladium assay.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≈ 40%

Pack sizes

5 g, 25 g, 100 g

Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II) is a red-brown, water-soluble palladium(II) salt, the usual choice when a palladium source must be dissolved directly in water or alcohol. It is used for the aqueous synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and colloids, for Pd/C and other supported catalysts, for electroless plating activation, for ligand-free and aqueous-phase cross-coupling, and as a precursor to palladium(II) complexes. Approximately 36% palladium by mass; each lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≈ 36%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) is a red-brown, water-soluble palladium(II) salt used as a precursor for shape-controlled palladium nanocrystals, palladium(II) coordination and organometallic complexes, PdCl2(ligand)2 precatalysts, supported catalysts and electrocatalysts, and as a catalyst precursor for cross-coupling in aqueous media. Approximately 32.6% palladium by mass; supplied with a lot-specific assay and certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≈ 32.5%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate is the standard platinum precursor for platinum catalysts (Adams' catalyst PtO2, Pt/C, Speier's and Karstedt's hydrosilylation catalysts), electroplating and platinising of electrodes, platinum nanoparticles and fuel-cell electrocatalysts. Like all soluble chloroplatinates it is a potent respiratory and skin sensitiser and must be handled in a fume hood with full containment of dust and aerosols. Each lot is supplied with a platinum assay and full certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 38%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Potassium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is a yellow to orange crystalline platinum(IV) salt, sparingly soluble in water, used as a stable platinum precursor for supported Pt catalysts and fuel-cell electrocatalysts (Pt/C by reduction), platinum nanoparticles and sols, and as a defined platinum standard. It is the classical gravimetric form for potassium and a key intermediate in platinum refining. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 40% platinum by mass; each lot is assayed and ships with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 40%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) is a ruby-red, water-soluble platinum(II) salt and the standard starting material for platinum(II) coordination chemistry: cisplatin and other platinum anticancer complexes, Zeise's salt, platinum phosphine and diimine complexes, platinum porphyrins and phosphorescent emitters. It is also used for platinum nanoparticles and shape-controlled nanocrystals, Pt/C catalysts and platinum plating baths. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 47% platinum by mass; supplied with a lot-specific assay.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 47%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is a yellow to orange crystalline platinum(IV) salt, sparingly soluble in water, that decomposes cleanly on heating to platinum sponge, the classical route to high-purity platinum and platinum black. It is used to prepare supported platinum catalysts, fuel-cell electrocatalysts, platinum nanoparticles and platinum coatings, and as the platinum intermediate in refining and recovery. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 44% platinum by mass; each lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 44%

Pack sizes

1 g, 5 g, 25 g