hypoclorite leach

[Anonymous]

Can you leach gold or other PM with just highly concentrated hypoclorite?

 

[OMG]

I don't think so. If it could I'm sure it would be common knowledge - seeing bleach is so common.
I don't know enough about chemistry to be certain, but hypochlorites are strong oxidizers, and oxidizing gold does not make it dissolve.
The reason hypochlorites work in conjunction with HCl is that the Cl from the hypochlorite and the Cl from the hydrogen chloride bond to each other making Chlorine gas. Then its that chlorine gas and additional hydrochloric acid that can dissolve the gold. Into HAuCl4 (aka HCl and AuCl3 mix).

 

[Anonymous]

I just wondered because I had googled bleach and gold and got some generalizations about it but nothing to actually go on.

I do know that bleach breaks down spontaniously to release cl and thought the o might act similiar to the oxidizing of nitric when used in AR.

I was also going to try it in my newly built salt cell. I have to go to the
flea market and get some plated stuff this weekend to try it on.

jim

 

[Platdigger]

Chlorine was in use leaching gold before cyanide became the cheaper way.

All that is needed is something to oxidize the chlorine........like a bit of sulfuric.

Very similar to Lazersteves method.
I believe they used to use sealed wooden vessels.
Randy