What are the chemical properties of gold?

Answer 1

Gold is called a noble metal because it resists reacting with stuff. But it can be "convinced" to react, and it forms numerous compounds. It's oxidation states range from -1 to +5, with +1 and +3, Au(I) and Au(III), far and away the most common. Gold will dissolve in Mercury, but creates an amalgam rather than react with it to create a compound. Aurum (gold) resists most acids, though aqua regia (a 3:1 mix of concentrated hydrochloric and nitric acids) will attack gold, as will cyanide. In the unusual -1 state, gold will form compounds like CsAu (cesium auride). It will hook up with the most reactive of the Group 1 and Group 2 elements, the Alkali and Alkaline Earth elements. Remember that the activity of these elements increases as you go down the column. That's just the opposite of the Group 17 elements, the halogens (fluorine, chlorine, etc.), whose reactivity increases as you go up the column. Speaking of the halogens, the Group 17 elements, will react with gold (Au), and auric fluoride (gold fluoride, AuFl) and auric chloride (gold chloride, AuCl) would be examples. Gold will form compounds in its +1 oxidation state with other ions, and it will also similarily form a number of compounds in the +3 oxidation state. There are also compounds (cluster compounds) where gold will form a compound that includes both the +1 and +3 oxidation states of the metal. It has "dual" (fractional) oxidation states in a single compound. Links are provided for more information.

Answer 2

Gold is called a noble metal because it resists reacting with stuff. But it can be "convinced" to react, and it forms numerous compounds. It's oxidation states range from -1 to +5, with +1 and +3, Au(I) and Au(III), far and away the most common. Gold will dissolve in Mercury, but creates an amalgam rather than react with it to create a compound. Aurum (gold) resists most acids, though aqua regia (a 3:1 mix of concentrated hydrochloric and nitric acids) will attack gold, as will cyanide. In the unusual -1 state, gold will form compounds like CsAu (cesium auride). It will hook up with the most reactive of the Group 1 and Group 2 elements, the Alkali and Alkaline Earth elements. Remember that the activity of these elements increases as you go down the column. That's just the opposite of the Group 17 elements, the halogens (fluorine, chlorine, etc.), whose reactivity increases as you go up the column. Speaking of the halogens, the Group 17 elements, will react with gold (Au), and auric fluoride (gold fluoride, AuFl) and auric chloride (gold chloride, AuCl) would be examples. Gold will form compounds in its +1 oxidation state with other ions, and it will also similarily form a number of compounds in the +3 oxidation state. There are also compounds (cluster compounds) where gold will form a compound that includes both the +1 and +3 oxidation states of the metal. It has "dual" (fractional) oxidation states in a single compound. Links are provided for more information.