Gold(I) sulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula Au2S. It is the principal sulfideofgold. It decomposes to gold metal and elemental sulfur, illustrating the "nobility" of gold.
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| IUPAC name
Gold(I) sulfide | |
| Other names
Aurous sulfide | |
| Identifiers | |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.013.749 
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| Properties | |
| Au2S | |
| Molar mass | 425.998 g/mol |
| Density | 11 g/cm3[1] |
| Melting point | 240 °C (464 °F; 513 K) |
| Insoluble | |
| Related compounds | |
Other anions |
Copper(I) sulfide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
The compound crystallizes in the motif seen for cuprous oxide: gold is 2-coordinate, sulfur 4-coordinate, and the S-Au-S linkage is linear.[2] Linear coordination geometry is typical of gold(I) compounds, e.g. the coordination complex chloro(dimethyl sulfide)gold(I). The structure is similar to the α form of silver sulfide (argentite), which only exists at high temperatures.[3]
It can be prepared by treating gold chloride with hydrogen sulfide[4] It also arises by sulfiding dicyanoaurate:
This product is described as "initially dark reddish-brown" solid that turns "steel-gray".[5][3]
