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AgNO₃

Silver nitrate

IUPAC : Silver nitrate
NitrateSaltLaboratoryPharmaceuticalIndustrial

The most soluble and most used silver salt. Key reagent in analytical chemistry (halide test), silver-based photography and medical cauterisation.

3D ball-and-stick representation of Silver nitrate (formula AgNO₃). Constituent atoms: Ag, N, O.
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Physical properties

Molar mass169.872 g/mol
State at 20 °Csolid
Density4.35 g/cm³
Melting point482.80 K (210 °C)
Boiling point717.00 K (444 °C)
Solubility (H₂O)256 g/100 mL à 20 °C

Structure

Crystal systemOrthorhombic
3D render modeBall-and-stick

Uses and applications

  • Halide ion test in analytical chemistry (AgCl, AgBr precipitates)
  • Silver-halide photography (photosensitive AgBr/AgCl crystals)
  • Medical cauterisation (silver nitrate pencil)
  • Mirror making (Tollens' reaction)
  • Cloud seeding (artificial rain)

Safety (GHS)

GHS03 · OxidisingGHS05 · CorrosiveGHS09 · Environmental hazard
H statements : H272, H314, H410

Corrosive and oxidising. Blackens skin by reduction to metallic silver. Very toxic to aquatic life.

Constituent elements

References

PubChem CID24470
CAS7761-88-8
SMILES[Ag+].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-]
Sources : PubChem CID 24470 · CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics