Another name for electrolytic precipitate of gold is:
**Question:** Another name for electrolytic precipitate of gold is:
A. Auric chloride
B. Auric sulfide
C. Auric nitrate
D. Auric hydroxide
**Core Concept:** Electrolytic precipitation involves the reduction of an ions (usually gold ions) in an electrolyte solution to form a solid precipitate. In the case of gold, it can be used in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and other gold-based compounds for various applications.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
Auric chloride (Auric chloride: AuCl3) is the correct answer because it refers to the electrolytic precipitate of gold in which the gold ions are reduced from gold(III) chloride to form gold chloride precipitate. When the gold ions (Au³⁺) are reduced to gold atoms (Au¹⁺), they combine with chloride ions (Cl⁻) to form AuCl₄⁻ and then with chloride ions to form gold chloride (AuCl₃).
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Auric chloride is not the correct term for gold precipitate formed via electrolysis.
B. Auric sulfide (Au2S) refers to gold in its elemental form or gold compounds containing sulfur, not the electrolytic precipitate.
C. Auric nitrate (Au3NO3) refers to gold compounds containing nitrate ions, not the electrolytic precipitate.
D. Auric hydroxide (Au2OH) is incorrect as it represents gold compounds containing hydroxide ions, not the electrolytic precipitate.
**Clinical Pearl:**
Understanding the process of gold electrolysis helps in understanding how gold is prepared for various applications, such as in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles or gold-based drugs. These applications have significant implications in medical research and treatment, particularly in the field of radiopharmaceuticals and targeted drug delivery systems.