Silver Carbonate - Ag2CO3

What is Silver carbonate?

Silver carbonate is an unstable chemical compound with the chemical formula Ag₂CO₃. Silver carbonate on celite is also called as Fetizon’s reagent. It is obtained by precipitation of solution of silver nitrate by an alkaline carbonate is white in colour and becomes yellow when the soluble salts are washed. It is sensitive to light, when it is exposed to light it changes it colour.

IUPAC name – Disilver carbonate

Silver Carbonate Structure – Ag₂CO₃

Physical Properties of Silver Carbonate – Ag₂CO₃

Chemical Properties of Silver Carbonate – Ag₂CO₃

• Like other carbonates silver carbonate undergo decomposition reaction forming elemental silver, carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Ag₂CO₃ → Ag₂O + CO₂

2Ag₂O → 4 Ag + O₂

• Nitric acid dissolves silver carbonate forming silver nitrate, water and carbon dioxide.

Ag₂CO₃ + 2(HNO₃) → 2(AgNO₃) + H₂O + CO₂

Uses of Silver Carbonate – Ag₂CO₃

• Ag₂CO₃ supported on celite is known as Fetizon’s reagent (silver carbonate on celite). used for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to give aldehydes and ketones, respectively
• Used as a reagent in organic synthesis reaction such asw Koenigs-Knorr reaction.
• Used as a base in Wittig reaction

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