Question:

The electrolytes usually used in the electroplating of gold and silver, respectively are :

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Gold and silver are electroplated from their cyanide complexes, \(\mathrm{[Au(CN)_2]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(CN)_2]^-}\), which give a smooth, adherent deposit.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • \(\mathrm{[Au(CN)_2]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(CN)_2]^-}\)
  • \(\mathrm{[Au(CN)_2]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(Cl)_2]^-}\)
  • \(\mathrm{[Au(OH)_4]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(OH)_2]^-}\)
  • \(\mathrm{[Au(NH_3)_2]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(CN)_2]^-}\)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

In electroplating, a bath containing a complex ion rather than a simple salt is used because the complex releases the metal ion slowly, giving a uniform, smooth and adherent coating.
Gold plating uses \(\mathrm{K[Au(CN)_2]}\) and silver plating uses \(\mathrm{K[Ag(CN)_2]}\), i.e. the dicyanoaurate(I) and dicyanoargentate(I) ions.
The hydroxo, chloro and ammine complexes in the other options are not the standard electroplating electrolytes.
Answer: (1) \(\mathrm{[Au(CN)_2]^-}\) and \(\mathrm{[Ag(CN)_2]^-}\)
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