Characteristic

Gold(III) chloride, traditionally called auric chloride, is a chemical compound of gold and chlorine. With the molecular formula Au₂Cl₆, the name gold trichloride is a simplification, referring to the empirical formula, AuCl₃. 

Chemical formula：AuCl₃ (exists as Au₂Cl₆)

Molar mass： 303.325 g/mol

Appearance： Red crystals (anhydrous); golden, yellow crystals (monohydrate)

Density： 4.7 g/cm³

Melting point： 254 °C (489 °F; 527 K) (decomposes)

Solubility in water：68 g/100 ml (cold)

Solubility： soluble in ether, slightly soluble in liquid ammonia

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)：−112·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Crystal structure：monoclinic

Application

AuCl₃ has attracted the interest of organic chemists as a mild acid catalyst for a variety of reactions, although no transformations have been commercialized. 

Some alkynes undergo amination in the presence of gold(III) catalysts. Gold catalyses the alkylation of certain aromatic rings and a conversion of furans to phenols. 

Gold chloride-MSDS.pdf