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Thermodynamic studies of the gold(III)/(I)/(0) redox system in ammonia-thiosulphate solutions at 25°C
Conference paper

Thermodynamic studies of the gold(III)/(I)/(0) redox system in ammonia-thiosulphate solutions at 25°C

G. Senanayake, W.N. Perera and M.J. Nicol
Hydrometallurgy 2003: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium (Vancouver, Canada, 24/08/2003–27/08/2003)
2003
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http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-111880449X.htmlView
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Abstract

The reported values of the standard reduction potentials of the Au(NH 3)2+/Au(0) and Au(S2O 3)23-/Au(0) couples are reviewed to emphasise the experimental difficulties associated with the measurement of reliable values for these quantities. The standard reduction potential for Ag(I)/Ag(0) in ammonia and thiosulphate solutions measured at ionic strength 0.1 and 25&C is used to predict the following relevant stability constants (β) for gold complexes based on the linear free energy correlations: Au(NH 3)2+ β2 = 1013, Au(S2O3)23- β2 = 1024 and Au(NH3)43+ β 4 = 1033. The equilibrium constant (≈ 10 -11) for the reaction Au(S2O3)23- + 2NH3 = Au(NH3)2+ + 2S2O32- based on these stability constants is in reasonable agreement with the measured value (≈10-9) based on potentiometric and spectroscopic data when excess ammonia was added to a solution of Na3Au(S2O3)2. This also indicates that the stability constant of Au(NH3)2+ is 9 to 11 orders of magnitude less than that of Au(S 2O3)23-. Relevant species distribution and Eh-pH diagrams based on the revised data are presented.

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