Hydroxyl Radicals Attack Metallic Gold

Abstract

Gold service: The asperities on a polished gold surface are quickly dissolved by the OH. radicals of Fenton's reagent. The dissolution of Au is rapid at the beginning of the reaction and is negligible when the asperities have been dissolved. Although the OH. radicals also oxidize the smooth parts of the Au surface, they do not dissolve them, but form a stable oxide monolayer.