ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION OF GOLD AND THE FORMATION OF Au//2(SO//4)//3 IN CONCENTRATED SULFURIC ACID.

The authors have examined the direct anodic oxidation of gold in concentrated H//2SO//4 to more fully understand the chemical reactions. Au//2(SO//4)//3 is unstable and cannot be isolated for chemical analysis, but our experiments are consistent with the formation of Au//2(SO//4)//3 in concentrated H//2SO//4, in which it is stable. Equations describing chemical reactions which are compatible with the experimental data are presented.