Thread: gold

I got some stupid questions. I have been reading on getting gold from computer parts and other gold plated materials. Now I am confused about the differenses in aqua regia and using another tyoe of oxidation method such as hydrogen peroxide and cyanide but I am trying to do this as a hobby so I really dont want to spend a fortune trying to do it. I need some guidance I mean I am not stupid but I am ignorant to chemistry based ideas. as far as I have gotten is aqua regia requires 1 part hci to three parts hno3 and creates NaOH the gold reacts to give you Au + 3 HCl + HNO3 --> AuCl3 + NO + 2 H2O but then I get Au3+ (aq) + 4 Cl- (aq) → AuCl4- (aq) and thats as far as I get but I want something a little less complicated and or less steps to obtain the gold molecule can any one help????????

If you are ignorant to chemistry based ideas then you most likely should not be messing around with very strong acids or H₂O₂ or cyanide or anything like that. I also have the feeling that the amount of gold you'd obtain from such procedures is very little and hardly worth the effort involved.

I understand that I probably shouldnt be messing with it. But as with all of us that get curoius about something it doesnt hurt to try. as for the amount of gold im not concerened with that I just wanted to see if it is possable to do this process and succeed in a small manner. I am just trying to understand if its easier to do this a diferent way or just stick with aqua regia. I am also looking to see if it could be done in a different manner other then harsh acids.

There is no way to extract gold with out the use of some very potent and TOXIC chemicals and judging from your lack of knowledge a hazardous opreration for you. There are many books on the topic just google some. by the way its 3 parts HCl 1 part HNO3 and there is no NaOH involved, you're right your chemistry sucks, go learn some basics.

I think you have chosen an exceptionally difficult, dangerous hobby project. Maybe you should try to make a solar panel or fuel cell or something? That's likely to keep you busy without poisoning or dissolving you.

Sorry Nroy, but the forum doesn't support activities that could be dangerous to oneself, as stated in the sticky I put up at the top of this subforum. Hopefully you've been discouraged from trying this dangerous experiment...if not, best of luck to you. Thread locked.