Gold(III) fluoride
# Gold(III) fluoride

Gold(III) fluoride, $AuF_3,$ is an orange solid that sublimes at 300 °C. It is a powerful fluorinating agent. It is very sensitive to moisture, yielding gold(III) hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid.

## Preparation

$AuF_3$ can be prepared by reacting $AuCl_3$ with $F_2$ or $BrF_3.$

## Structure

The crystal structure of $AuF_3$ consists of spirals of square-planar $AuF_4$ units.

| $AuF_3$ unit cell | neighbouring $(AuF_3)_n$ helices | distorted octahedral coordination of gold by six fluorines | top-down view of an $(AuF_3)_n$ helix | side view of an $(AuF_3)_n$ helix |
| - | - | - | - | - |
