Solvent extraction studies of phosphonium salts and their analytical applications : Detection of gold. identification of gold and minor constituents in gold alloys

Gold is very efficiently extracted with benzene or toluene after precipitation in acidic solution by excess thiocyanate and triphenylisopropyl phosphonium ions. An almost specific test for gold is thus possible and large amounts of gold can be separated from other elements. A scheme of separation is described for the identification of gold and other metal components in gold alloys, based on selective extraction of the triphenylisopropyl phosphonium salts of the corresponding thiocyanato complexes.