Synlett 2005(19): 3016-3017  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-921895
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Silver Nitrate: Versatile Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Amit Nayyar*
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
e-Mail: mailnayyar@yahoo.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 October 2005 (online)

Introduction

Silver nitrate (AgNO3, MW 169.87) [7761-88-8] is known as lunar caustic. It is a colorless crystalline solid soluble in water. This is a versatile chemical used in photography, silver paints, dyes, chemical analysis and gravimetric analysis. AgNO3 is also used in pharmaceutical preparations, i.e. in eye lotions and for the treatment of gonorrhea. It is prepared by reacting silver with nitric acid and is purified by recrystallization.