Silver nitrate (AgNO3)
Silver nitrate is an inorganic salt of silver and nitric acid, supplied as colourless, light-sensitive crystals that dissolve readily in water. It is widely used as a laboratory reagent for halide determination, argentometric titrations and silver staining, and as a starting material for other silver compounds. It is an oxidising, corrosive substance that is very toxic to aquatic life, so grade selection, storage and disposal all require care.
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Silver nitrate, 99.8%
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Silver nitrate (CAS 7761-88-8, EC 231-853-9) has the formula AgNO3 and a molar mass of about 169.87 g/mol. It is one of the few silver salts that is highly soluble in water, which makes it the usual source of Ag+ ions in the laboratory and in industry.
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What is silver nitrate used for in the laboratory?
Its main analytical use is the determination of chloride, bromide and iodide. Standardised solutions are used in argentometric titrations such as the Mohr and Volhard methods, and in simple qualitative tests where insoluble silver halides precipitate. It is also used to prepare Tollens' reagent for aldehyde detection and in silver staining of proteins after SDS-PAGE. Industrially, it serves as a precursor for other silver compounds and for silver-based catalysts and coatings.
Which grades should procurement teams consider?
Silver nitrate is offered in several grades, including ACS reagent grade and pharmacopoeial grades meeting EP or USP monographs. Volumetric standard solutions of defined concentration are also available. Buyers should check the CoA for assay, chloride and heavy-metal limits, and confirm that the SDS and REACH registration status suit the intended application.
What hazards and handling precautions apply?
Under GHS, silver nitrate is typically classified as an oxidising solid (H272), as causing severe skin burns and eye damage (H314), and as very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (H400/H410). It stains skin and surfaces black on exposure to light. Store it in tightly closed, light-resistant containers away from combustible and reducing materials, and collect waste for silver recovery or approved disposal rather than discharging it to drains. It is transported as UN 1493.
Related concepts
Related entries include argentometry, the Mohr and Volhard methods, Tollens' reagent, silver staining, silver chloride, oxidising agents, GHS classification and the SDS.
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