AgNO3

Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula AgNO₃. It is a versatile precursor to many other silver compounds, such as those used in photography. It is far less sensitive to light than the halides. It was once called lunar caustic because silver was called luna by the ancient alchemists, who associated silver with the moon.

Properties

Silver nitrate is a colorless crystalline solid, which is highly soluble in water. It has a density of 4.35 g/cm³ and melts at 209 °C. The compound is known for its ability to precipitate chloride ions from solutions, forming a white precipitate of silver chloride.

Uses

Silver nitrate has a wide range of applications:

• In medicine, it is used as an antiseptic and cauterizing agent.
• In photography, it is used in the production of silver halides.
• In chemistry, it is used in titrations to determine the amount of chloride, bromide, or iodide ions in a solution.
• In biology, it is used for staining proteins and nucleic acids.

Safety

Silver nitrate is a strong oxidizing agent and can cause severe burns upon contact with skin. It should be handled with care, using appropriate personal protective equipment.

Related Pages

• Silver
• Nitrate
• Silver chloride
• Photography
• Antiseptic