General Description
A colorless or white crystalline solid becoming black on exposure to light or organic material.
Reactivity Profile
SILVER NITRATE(7761-88-8) is noncombustible but, as an oxidizing agent, can accelerate the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided, an explosion may result. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Light sensitive. Mixtures with alkyl esters may explode owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates. Mixtures with phosphorus, tin(II) chloride, or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979 p. 108-109]. Reacts with acetylene in the presence of ammonia to form silver acetylide, a powerful detonator when dry [Bretherick 1979 p. 198]. Reaction with ethyl alcohol (or other alcohols) may produce silver fulminate, which can explode when disturbed [Bretherick 1979 p. 200]. An intimate mixture of SILVER NITRATE(7761-88-8) and magnesium may ignite spontaneously on contact with a drop of water [Bretherick 1979 p. 200]. An explosion occurred when purified phosphine was passed rapidly into a concentrated solution of SILVER NITRATE(7761-88-8) [Mellor 3:471 1946-47]. When a mixture of 28% ammonium hydroxide and SILVER NITRATE(7761-88-8) solution was treated with a small amount of sodium hydroxide. Black precipitate, silver nitride exploded on stirring [MCA Case History 1554 1968].
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Hazard
Strong irritant to skin and tissue.
Health Hazard
Concentrated solutions will produce irritation, ulceration, and discoloration of the skin; also causes severe irritation of the eyes. Ingestion will produce violent abdominal pain and other gastroenteric symptoms.
Potential Exposure
Silver nitrate is used in photography, silver plating; as an antiseptic; in chemical reactions; and mirror manufacturing; as starting material in production of other silver compounds.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Increases flammability of combustibles.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. If victim is conscious, administer water, or milk. Do not induce vomiting.
Shipping
UN1493 Silver nitrate, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer.
Incompatibilities
A strong oxidizer. Reacts violently with combustible and reducing materials. Reacts with acetylene forming a shock-sensitive explosive. Reacts with alkalis, antimony salts; ammonia, arsenites, bromides, carbonates, chlorides, iodides, hydrogen peroxide; thiocyanates, ferrous salts; oils, hypophosphites, morphine salts; creosote, phosphates, tannic acid; tartarates, halides, vegetable extracts, and others. Attacks some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings.
Physical properties
Colorless, transparent, large rhombohedral crystals, or white small crystals; bitter, caustic metallic taste; odorless; pure compound is not sensitive to light but trace organics promote photo reduction, turning the salt to grayish black on exposure to light; density 4.35 g/cm3; melts at 212°C; decomposes at 440°C; very soluble in water, soluble in ethanol and acetone.
Definition
ChEBI: Silver(1+) nitrate is a silver salt and an inorganic nitrate salt. It has a role as an astringent.
Indications
Silver nitrate, 0.1% to 0.5%, is an excellent germicide and astringent. Its
germicidal action is due to precipitation of bacterial protein by liberated silver
ions. It may cause pain if applied in concentrations >0.5%.
Silver nitrate is another cauterizing agent and coagulates cellular protein and
removes granulation tissue. This should be applied everyday for approximately
5 days."
"Silver nitrate (AgNO3), in solid form or in solutions stronger than 5%, is used for
its caustic action; 5% to 10% solutions may be applied to fissures or excessive
granulation tissue. Silver nitrate sticks consist of a head of toughened silver nitrate (>94.5%) prepared by fusing the silver salt with sodium chloride. They
are dipped in water and applied as needed.
Preparation
Silver nitrate is prepared by dissolving silver metal in dilute nitric acid. The solution is evaporated and residue is heated to dull red heat with concentrated nitric acid to decompose impurities such as copper nitrate. Residue then is dissolved in water, filtered, and recrystallized to obtain pure silver nitrate.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Pharmaceutical Applications
Silver nitrate (AgNO3), after salicylic acid, is widely used for the treatment of warts. AgNO3 is a highly
water-soluble salt, which readily precipitates as AgCl, black in colour, when in contact with the skin. Warts
are caused by a human papillomavirus, and mostly hands, feet and the anogenital areas are affected. The
treatment is based on the destruction of the local tissue, and the silver salt is applied via a caustic pen to the
affected area. Silver nitrate is highly corrosive and is known to destroy these types of tissue growth. Care has
to be taken when this treatment option is used, as the resulting AgCl stains any skin or fabric which it has
been in contact with.
Purification Methods
Purify it by recrystallisation from hot water (solubility of AgNO3 in water is 992g/100mL at 100o and 122g/100mL at 0o). It has also been purified by crystallisation from hot conductivity water by slow addition of freshly distilled EtOH. CAUTION: avoid using EtOH for washing the precipitate; and avoid concentrating the filtrate to obtain further crops of AgNO3 owing to the risk of EXPLOSION (as has been reported to us) caused by the presence of silver fulminate. When using EtOH in the purification, the apparatus should be enveloped in a strong protective shield. [Tully, News Ed (Am Chem Soc) 19 3092 1941; Garin & Henderson J Chem Educ 47 741 1970, Bretherick, Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards 4th edn, Butterworths, London, 1985, pp 13-14.] Before being used as a standard in volumetric analysis, analytical reagent grade AgNO3 should be finely powdered, dried at 120o for 2hours, then cooled in a desiccator. Recovery of silver residues as AgNO3 [use protective shield during the whole of this procedure] can be achieved by washing with hot water and adding 16M HNO3 to dissolve the solid. Filter this through glass wool and concentrate the filtrate on a steam bath until precipitation commences. Cool the solution in an ice-bath and filter the precipitated AgNO3. Dry it at 120o for 2hours, then cool it in a desiccator in a vacuum. Store it over P2O5 in a vacuum in the dark. AVOID contact with hands due to formation of black stains.
