The reaction of gold and dithizone

On thermodynamic grounds gold(III) and gold(I) are likely to oxidize dithizone rather than to form complexes. Conditions are described to obtain all the spectra previously ascribed to “gold dithizonate” both in a single system and separately. Oxidation products are responsible for several of the peaks, and it is unlikely that any of the species obtained is a gold dithizonate except possibly that giving the transitory peak at 490 nm. Analytical processes based on the reaction of gold and dithizone should be recognised as involving oxidation and treated with extreme caution.