Precious metal compounds

High-purity silver nitrate for analytical, photographic, electrochemical and synthetic use. The standard precursor for silver nanoparticles, silver halide chemistry, Tollens' reagent, argentometric titration (Mohr, Volhard, Fajans), silvering of mirrors and silver electroplating baths. Supplied as free-flowing crystals with a lot-specific certificate of analysis including silver assay and trace-metal screen.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis), ACS reagent grade

Pack sizes

25 g, 100 g, 500 g, 1 kg

Silver sulfate is a white, light-sensitive crystalline solid used chiefly in analytical chemistry, as the catalyst in dichromate chemical oxygen demand (COD) determinations and to precipitate interfering chloride, and as a silver source for cyanide-free silver plating baths and for halide abstraction in synthesis. Approximately 69.2% silver by mass; each lot is assayed and ships with a certificate of analysis.

Grade

≥99.9% (metals basis), ACS reagent grade; Ag ≥ 68.5%

Pack sizes

25 g, 100 g, 500 g

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) 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

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

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 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