Several Au-based catalysts, including catalysts containing Au, Au-Co(III), Au-Cu(II), and Au-Co(III)-Cu(II), were prepared and assessed for their ability to promote acetylene hydrochlorination. The catalysts were characterized by temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed desorption, low-temperature N-2 adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synergistic effects of Co(III) and Cu(II) enhanced the adsorption of hydrogen chloride over the catalysts and increased the amount of the active species Au+ and Au3+ in the ternary Au1Co(III)3Cu(II)1 catalyst supported on spherical activated carbon. The catalyst attained 99.7% acetylene conversion, 99.9% selectivity to vinyl chloride, and an estimated lifetime exceeding 6513 h. These results suggest that the ternary catalyst has potential industrial applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.