ReAgent Launches New Product: Aqua Regia

Leading online chemical supplier ReAgent has added Aqua Regia to its extensive chemical range.

ReAgent Launches Aqua Regia

We were receiving many requests for Aqua Regia and some customers even wondered if it would be possible for them to make this substance themselves

(PRWEB UK) 3 January 2013

Aqua Regia is a highly concentrated mix of one part Nitric Acid and three parts Hydrochloric Acid and is a powerful cleaning agent whose Latin name translates as ‘Royal Water’ due to its ability to dissolve Gold and Platinum, the so-called Noble Metals.

ReAgent Sales Manager Michael Gould explains, “We were receiving many requests for Aqua Regia and some customers even wondered if it would be possible for them to make this substance themselves. Our advice is emphatically ‘NO’! Aqua Regia is highly corrosive and appears as a fuming red or yellow liquid so we would never encourage anyone to attempt to make this substance. Our chemists are highly qualified professionals with a wealth of ‘hands on’ experience in handling dangerous chemicals so we would always recommend leaving the manufacture of Aqua Regia to the experts.”

The history of Aqua Regia can be traced back to the 800’s when early Alchemists discovered its remarkable powers. Today, it is used in a range of applications including:-

In metallurgy where it is also commonly known as Nitro-hydrochloric Acid
In the production of Chloroauric Acid which is an inorganic compound and common precursor to Gold
As a Gold-testing substance where it can test for purity up to 99.999%
As a specialist etcher and cleaner for laboratory glassware
As a specialist cleaner for NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) tubes in NMR spectroscopy

Graham Bayliss ReAgent Systems Manager cautions, “This chemical should only be made by a qualified person who knows what they are doing. It is essential to carry out a Risk Assessment on the procedures and to be aware that when the two chemicals are mixed they can form a powerful oxidising medium which is volatile, explosive with other substances and toxic. Since it decomposes quickly after making, Aqua Regia needs to be made fresh each time it is required.”

ReAgent MD Richard Hudson concludes, “We have the in-house expertise and equipment to safely manufacture this substance which we are delighted to be able to offer it to our customers.”