Gold(III) chloride
chemical compound
Gold(III) chloride, traditionally called auric chloride, is an inorganic compound of gold and chlorine with the molecular formula Au2Cl6. The "III" in the name indicates that the gold has an oxidation state of +3, typical for many gold compounds. It has two forms, the monohydrate (AuCl3·H2O) and the anhydrous form, which are both hygroscopic and light-sensitive solids. This compound is a dimer of AuCl3. This compound has a few uses, such as an oxidizing agent and for catalyzing various organic reactions.
Structure
AuCl3 exists as a chloride-bridged dimer both as a solid and vapour, at least at low temperatures. Gold(III) bromide behaves analogously. The structure is similar to that of iodine(III) chloride.
Each gold center is square planar in gold(III) chloride, which is typical of a metal complex with a d8 electron count. The bonding in AuCl3 is considered somewhat covalent.
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