8518. Silver Nitrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7761-88-8
Nitric acid silver(1+) salt (1:1).
AgNO3; mol wt 169.87.
Ag 63.50%, N 8.25%, O 28.26%.

Description and references

Prepn: T. W. Richards, G. S. Forbes, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 29, 808 (1907). Clinical prophylactic use in neonatal conjunctivitis: Credé, Arch. Gynaekol. 17, 50 (1881). Raman and IR structural studies: Z. X. Shen, W. F. Sherman, J. Mol. Struct. 271, 175 (1992). Clinical evaluation in molluscum contagiosum: K. Niizeki, K. Hashimoto, Pediatr. Dermatol. 16, 395 (1999); of histological effects in epithelial cautery: J. Hanif et al., Clin. Otolaryngol. 28, 368 (2003). Review of prophylactic use in neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis: G. Schneider, Can. Med. Assoc. J. 131, 193-196 (1984); of toxicology: S. D. M. Humphreys, P. A. Routledge, Adverse Drug React. Toxicol. Rev. 17, 115-143 (1998); of chromatographic applications: C. M. Williams, L. N. Mander, Tetrahedron 57, 425-447 (2001).

Properties

Colorless, rhombic crystals or white small crystals. Oxidizer. d 4.352. Dimorphic; transition temp: 159.8°. mp 212°, forming a yellowish liquid solidifying to a white, cryst mass on cooling. Dec at 440° into metallic silver, nitrogen and nitrogen oxides. Soly in water at 25° (g/100 g H2O): 2.16×102 . Soly (g/L): ethanol 20.8; methanol 35; benzene 2.2. Not photosensitive when pure; trace amts of organic material promote photoreduction.

Derivative

Toughened silver nitrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8007-31-6
Nitric acid silver (1+) salt mixt with silver chloride (AgCl); lunar caustic; molded silver nitrate.

Properties

Contains not less than 94.5% silver nitrate, remainder is silver chloride. White or grayish, hard rods or thin small cones. Darkens on exposure to light. Protect from light.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure by direct contact are tissue corrosion and burns; absorption through mucous membranes or damaged areas of skin may be followed by systemic toxicity (Humphreys). See also Silver.

Use

In chromatography; photography; manuf of mirrors; other silver salts; silver plating; in sympathetic and indelible inks; dyeing hair; coloring porcelain; etching ivory; as a titrimetric reagent in analytical chemistry.

Therapeutic Category

Astringent, antiseptic, caustic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Astringent, antiseptic, caustic.

Keywords

Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Silver compounds; Astringent