Au + HNO3 + 4 HCl → H(AuCl4) + NO + 2 H2O
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
Au0 - 3 e- → AuIII (oxidation)
NV + 3 e- → NII (reduction)
Au is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Au
- HNO3 – Nitric acid
- Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte
- Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]
- HCl – Chlorane , Hydrogen chloride
- Other names: Hydrochloric acid , M , Uriatic acid
- Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid, fumes in air if concentrated ; Colorless gas ; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour ; Colorless to slightly yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]
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