Aqua regia, also known as royal water, is the acid known as royal acid.
Understanding Aqua Regia
Aqua regia is not a single acid, but rather a highly corrosive mixture of two strong acids, specifically:
- Nitric acid (HNO₃)
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Typically, it is prepared in a molar ratio of 1:3 (nitric to hydrochloric acid). This potent mixture is known for its ability to dissolve noble metals such as gold and platinum, which are otherwise unreactive to individual acids.
Key Features of Aqua Regia
- Strong Oxidizing Power: Nitric acid acts as an oxidizer, while hydrochloric acid helps in the complexation of metal ions.
- Corrosive Nature: Aqua regia is highly corrosive and should be handled with extreme caution.
- Unique Dissolving Properties: Its ability to dissolve gold and platinum sets it apart from other acids.
Other Names
As seen in the reference, aqua regia also goes by the following names:
| Other Names |
|---|
| Aqua regis |
| Nitrohydrochloric acid |
| Royal water |
Practical Applications
Aqua regia is primarily used in:
- Gold and Platinum Refining: Dissolving and extracting these noble metals.
- Analytical Chemistry: For specific chemical analyses.
- Laboratory Settings: In various research and development processes.
In Summary, aqua regia, or royal water, is the acid known as royal acid. It is a powerful mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid renowned for dissolving precious metals.
