NaAuCN2

NaAuCN2 is the chemical formula for sodium gold cyanide. This compound is an inorganic salt consisting of sodium cations (Na+) and gold(I) cyanide anions (Au(CN)2-). It is a white crystalline solid. Sodium gold cyanide is often encountered in the context of gold plating and electrochemistry. Gold cyanide complexes are highly soluble in water, making them suitable for use in aqueous plating baths. The Au(CN)2- anion is a linear complex where the gold atom is in the +1 oxidation state and is coordinated by two cyanide ligands. This complex is quite stable. The production of sodium gold cyanide typically involves reactions between gold compounds and cyanide salts. Due to the presence of cyanide, handling and disposal of NaAuCN2 require strict safety precautions as cyanide is highly toxic. It is an important intermediate in the extraction and refining of gold, particularly in processes like the cyanidation of gold ores, although direct use of NaAuCN2 in large-scale ore processing is less common than solutions containing similar gold cyanide species.