Gold (III) nitrate in an aqueous solution is hydrolyzed with formation of gold (III) metahydroxide.
Au(NO₃)₃ → Au³⁺(aq) + 3NO₃⁻(aq)
Au³⁺ + H₂O ⇄ AuOH²⁺ + H⁺
AuOH²⁺ + H₂O ⇄ Au(OH)₂⁺ + H⁺
Au(OH)₂⁺ + H₂O → AuOOH·H₂O(s) + H⁺
Au(NO₃)₃(aq) + 2H₂O(l) = AuOOH(s) + 3HNO₃(aq)
