Answer to Question #18855 in Organic Chemistry for Paul

Question

How would I reduce Au(OH)3 to Au? Please keep in mind I would want to melt the Au into a shiny nugget when I am finished.
Thank you!

Answer 1

All gold compounds are easily decomposed by heating with the release of metallic gold. Many organic compounds (aldehydes, some alcohols, glucose), and the metal ions in the lowest oxidation (Sn²⁺, Fe²⁺, etc.) is reduced to the metallic gold from solutions of its salts.