Aqua Regia

Preparation, Handling and Disposal

Background Aqua Regia (Latin for Royal Water) is an acidic, corrosive and oxidative mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) and concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) in the proportion of 3 parts HCl to 1 part HNO3. Its name derives from the fact that Aqua Regia is one of the few acid mixtures capable of dissolving the nobel metals (Gold - Au, Platinum Pt, Palladium Pd). HNO3 (aq) + 3HCl (aq) NOCl (g) + 2H2O (l) + Cl2 (g) Over time generated nitrosyl chloride (NOCl) further decomposes producing chlorine gas and nitric oxide (NO) which auto-oxidizes to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a poisonous reddish-brown gas. 2NOCl (g) 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g) 2NO (g) + O2 (g) 2NO2(g) WARNING: Chlorine (Cl2), Nitric Oxide (NO), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) are poisonous! Preparation and Handling All handling of Aqua Regia MUST be done with glassware inside of a fume hood with a secondary container that is clean and free of organic matter. For best results and for safety storage reasons make and use only small, fresh batchs of Aqua Regia before every use. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (lab coat, safety glasses and gloves compatible with Nitric and Hydrochloric acids) should be used when handling Aqua Regia. When preparing Aqua Regia, always add the nitric acid to hydrochloric acid, never vice versa.

Storage WARNING! Never store a stoppered bottle of Aqua RegiaExplosion may result! Aqua Regia should be made fresh before every use and then excess amounts neutralized shortly after use. Disposal Neutralize Aqua Regia by pouring it into a large quantity of ice (500 grams of ice per 10 mL of Aqua Regia). Dilute Aqua Regia/Ice mixture with aqueous basic solution (such as 1M or 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or saturated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3))in water until pH is neutral. Neutralized solution may then be poured down drain. If neutralized mixture contains heavy metals such as Gold, Platinum, Lead, Chromium, etc. the solution should be labeled and disposed of properly through the chemical waste management system by filling out Request For Pickup of Chemical Waste (CWM-TRK-01). Aqua Regia (with Barium, Cadmium, Lead & Selenium waste) UI# 80574 Aqua Regia (with Chromium waste) UI# 80575 Aqua Regia (with all other wastes) UI# 586

Created by: C. Motter

-1-

Aug. 14, 2012

Phone: (217) 333-2755 Fax: (217) 244-6594 Email: drs@illinois.edu Website: www.drs.illinois.edu

Aqua Regia
Preparation, Handling and Disposal
Emergency/Exposure Procedures In case of skin contact: Flush the affected area with large volumes of running water for 15 minutes followed by prompt medical attention. In case of eye contact: Flush the affected area with large volumes of running water for 15 minutes followed by immediate medical attention. In case of inhalation: Get affected person into fresh and uncontaminated air. Questions? Contact the Division of Research Safety at 217-333-2755 or visit www.drs.illinois.edu/css/. University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) labs should develop a standard procedure for use, neutralization and disposal of Aqua Regia. All lab staff that will use Aqua Regia must be trained on the labs procedures before commencing work with Aqua Regia. Principal Investigators are responsible for developing appropriate lab specific procedures, training students and staff, and documenting training. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia Fawcett, H H., Chem. Eng. News, 1955, 33, pg 897. American Industrial Hygiene Associationhttp://www.aiha.org/insideaiha/volunteergroups/ labHandScommittee/Pages/TwoExplosionsInvolvingAquaRegia.aspx P.G. Urben (Ed.), Brethericks Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards 6th Ed., Oxford, ButterworthHeinemann, 1999.

Created by: C. Motter

-2-

Aug. 14, 2012

Phone: (217) 333-2755 Fax: (217) 244-6594 Email: drs@illinois.edu Website: www.drs.illinois.edu