AuCl

Gold(I) chloride · Aurous chloride

Gold(I) chloride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily used as a precursor for synthesizing complex gold-based chemical materials.

AuCl
Crystal structure of AuCl
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Gold(I) chloride

Gold(I) chloride is a binary inorganic compound that exists as a thermodynamically stable phase. Its electronic character as a semiconductor makes it a subject of interest for researchers investigating the fundamental behavior of noble metal halides. The compound is well-documented in structural databases, reflecting its significance in solid-state chemistry.

Beyond its structural stability, this material serves as an essential building block in gold chemistry. It is frequently employed as a starting point for the synthesis of various gold complexes, which are vital for catalytic processes and the development of specialized materials in modern chemical engineering.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Gold(I) chloride, aggregated across 4 databases.

Band Gap

1.30–1.95 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
3 DFT sources

Structures

104
4 databases, 19 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Gold(I) chloride is used.

Chemical synthesis precursorCatalysisGold complex preparation
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gold(I) chloride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is AuCl?

Gold(I) chloride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound primarily used as a precursor for synthesizing complex gold-based chemical materials.

More questions
What is AuCl used for?
Gold(I) chloride (AuCl) is used in chemical synthesis precursor, catalysis, and gold complex preparation.
What is the band gap of AuCl?
Gold(I) chloride (AuCl) has a DFT-computed band gap of 1.30–1.95 eV across 104 reported structures.
Is AuCl a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 1.95 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is AuCl thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Gold(I) chloride (AuCl) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of AuCl are known?
104 structures of AuCl are reported across 4 databases, spanning 19 distinct space groups.
What elements does AuCl contain?
Gold(I) chloride (AuCl) contains Au and Cl (2 elements).
Where does the data for AuCl come from?
AuCl data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a primary gold halide, gold(I) chloride occupies a central position in the chemistry of noble metal compounds, serving as a foundational reference point for understanding the bonding and reactivity of gold in its lower oxidation state.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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