aurous

[From Lat. aurum = gold.] 1. Ordinary Language Full of gold; (more loosely) containing more or le of gold. 2. Chem.: With gold univalent in its composition. The aurous compounds are of little importance. Aurous chloride (AuCI) is prepared by heating the auric chloride (Au"Cl3) to 227°, till it ceases to give off chlorine. It is a yellowish ma , decomposed by water into metallic gold and auric chloride. Aurous oxide is formed when caustic potash solution is poured on aurous chloride. It is a green powder, easily decomposed inte metallic gold and auric oxide. Aurous sulphide (Aus) is a black-brown precipitate, formed when hydrogen sulphide is pa ed into a boiling solution of auric chloride. It is soluble in ammonium sulphide.