Skip to content
LIFFEYCHEMICALS
AccountRequest quote
Gold salts

Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) , CAS 13682-61-6

KAuCl4MW 377.88 g/mol52.1% AuMade in Dublin, Ireland

Synonyms: Potassium gold(III) chloride; Potassium aurichloride; Potassium chloroaurate; Gold potassium chloride; KAuCl4

Also known as: Kaliumtetrachloroaurat(III) (German); Tetracloroaurato(III) de potasio (Spanish); Tétrachloroaurate(III) de potassium (French); Tetracloroaurato(III) di potassio (Italian); Kaliumtetrachloroauraat(III) (Dutch)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS07
Harmful

Overview

The potassium salt of tetrachloroauric acid: the highest gold content and the best shelf stability of the three gold(III) chlorides, at the cost of lower solubility.

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.

Application areas

Typical applications of potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii)

Potassium tetrachloroaurate is the gold(III) salt most often chosen for the synthesis of discrete gold complexes. It is the starting material for cyclometalated and pincer gold(III) compounds, for gold(III) porphyrins and salen complexes studied as anticancer agents, and, after reduction with dimethyl sulfide or tetrahydrothiophene, for the gold(I) chlorides used to prepare phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene gold(I) catalysts and luminescent emitters.

In heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis it is an alternative to chloroauric acid for impregnating supports, for the preparation of gold–palladium bimetallic catalysts, and for gold(III)-catalysed alkyne and allene chemistry. In materials science it is used for gold nanoparticles and nanoplates, for gold thin films by chemical reduction or thermal decomposition, and in decorative gilding and electroplating formulations.

Because it is only mildly hygroscopic and has the highest gold fraction of the chloroaurates, potassium tetrachloroaurate is also the most convenient of the three for accurate weighing, for solid-state storage over long periods and for use as a gold standard.

Specification

Product namePotassium tetrachloroaurate(III)
SynonymsPotassium gold(III) chloride; Potassium aurichloride; Potassium chloroaurate; Gold potassium chloride; KAuCl4
Molecular formulaKAuCl4
CAS number13682-61-6
Molecular weight377.88 g/mol
MetalGold (Au)
Metal content52.1% Au by mass (nominal; lot assay on the CoA)
Purity / grade≥99.9% (metals basis); Au ≈ 52%
AppearanceYellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder; hygroscopic
SolubilitySoluble in water, giving a yellow, weakly acidic solution; soluble in ethanol and acetone. Less soluble than chloroauric acid or the sodium salt.
Melting pointDecomposes on heating, losing chlorine to give potassium chloride and gold.
HygroscopicitySlightly hygroscopic; the most stable of the three gold(III) chloride salts in storage.
Aqueous solutionWeakly acidic from hydrolysis of [AuCl₄]⁻; a little hydrochloric acid stabilises solutions against hydrolysis and light.
StorageStore tightly closed in a dry place, protected from light. Keep away from reducing agents and metals.
Pack sizes1 g, 5 g, 25 g
Country of originIreland (manufactured in Dublin)

Solubility, melting point and density are literature values for the pure compound and are given for guidance; purity, gold assay and appearance are measured on each lot and reported on its certificate of analysis.

Handling and storage

  • Causes serious eye damage (H318), skin irritation (H315) and may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317). Wear goggles and nitrile gloves and avoid raising dust.
  • Store tightly closed in a dry place protected from light. Solutions should be kept in the dark and used within days unless acidified.
  • Keep away from reducing agents, metals and organic dust. Use glass or plastic tools; gold stains skin and glassware purple.
  • Not regulated as dangerous goods for transport: ships by standard courier.

Hazard classification (CLP / GHS)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS07
Harmful
Signal wordDanger
Hazard statements
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H318 Causes serious eye damage.
Precautionary statements
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor.
  • P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P332+P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust.
  • P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P333+P313 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
TransportNot regulated for transport. Ships by standard courier.

Classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP). The safety data sheet issued with each lot is the authoritative source; where this page and the SDS differ, follow the SDS. For research and industrial use only. Not for human, veterinary, food or cosmetic use.

Documents

Safety data sheet (SDS)

The current SDS for Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) is supplied with every quotation and shipment. Request a copy.

Certificate of analysis (CoA)

Issued per lot with gold assay. Enter the lot number from your label.

Find a CoA

Frequently asked questions

How does potassium tetrachloroaurate compare with the sodium salt and chloroauric acid?

Gold content: KAuCl₄ about 52%, NaAuCl₄·2H₂O about 49.5%, HAuCl₄·3H₂O about 50%. Hygroscopicity: the potassium salt is the least hygroscopic, the acid is deliquescent. Solubility: the acid is the most soluble, the potassium salt the least. Solution pH: the acid gives pH 1–2, the sodium and potassium salts pH 3–4. Choose on those criteria unless a published method specifies a particular salt.

How do I make a 10 mM solution?

Dissolve 377.9 mg of potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) (377.88 g/mol) in high-purity water and make up to 100.0 mL. Dissolution is slower than for chloroauric acid; stir and, if the solution is to be stored, add a drop of hydrochloric acid and keep it in the dark. Check the gold assay on the lot's certificate of analysis if exact gold concentration matters.

Can potassium tetrachloroaurate be used to make gold(I) complexes?

Yes. Stirring an aqueous or ethanol–water solution with an excess of dimethyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene or thiodiglycol reduces gold(III) to gold(I) and precipitates the corresponding chloro(thioether)gold(I) complex, the usual precursor for phosphine- and NHC-gold(I) catalysts. Two equivalents of triphenylphosphine give chloro(triphenylphosphine)gold(I) directly.

Is it classed as dangerous goods?

No. Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) is not regulated for transport and ships by standard courier with no surcharge. Handle it as a hazardous chemical and refer to the SDS supplied with the lot.

Ordering, shipping and documentation
What is the CAS number of potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii)?

Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) has CAS Registry Number 13682-61-6. Its formula is KAuCl4 (377.88 g/mol) and it contains about 52.1% gold by mass.

How is potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii) priced?

Pack prices are linked to the live gold spot price: gold content × spot €/g, plus a fixed fee per pack for manufacture, packaging and the certificate of analysis. The price shown is indicative and confirmed on your quotation; it excludes VAT and shipping.

Is potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii) classed as dangerous goods for shipping?

No. Potassium tetrachloroaurate(III) is not regulated for transport and ships by standard courier across Ireland and the EU.

Do you supply a certificate of analysis and SDS for potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii)?

Yes. Every lot ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis including gold assay, and the current safety data sheet is available on this page and on request. Lot certificates can also be retrieved by lot number from our CoA lookup.

Where do you ship potassium tetrachloroaurate(iii)?

We ship from Dublin to Ireland (from €12.00) and to all EU member states (from €25.00), plus Northern Ireland. For research and industrial use only; business customers only.

Related gold and precious-metal compounds

All gold compounds →
Gold50% Au

Gold(III) chloride trihydrate

HAuCl4·3H2O · CAS 16961-25-4

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
from €114.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Gold49.5% Au

Sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) dihydrate

NaAuCl4·2H2O · CAS 13874-02-7

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
from €113.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Palladium60% Pd

Palladium(II) chloride

PdCl2 · CAS 7647-10-1

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
from €63.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Palladium36.2% Pd

Sodium tetrachloropalladate(II)

Na2PdCl4 · CAS 13820-53-6

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
from €48.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Message Liffey Chemicals on WhatsApp