Silver Acetate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Silver Acetate consists of elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Silver, and Oxygen. Carbon is a nonmetal present in group-14 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 6 and is represented by the symbol C. Hydrogen is the lightest, colorless, odorless, tasteless, and flammable gas. Its atomic number is 1 and is represented by the symbol H. Silver is a soft, white, lustrous transition metal present in group-11 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 47 and is represented with the symbol Ag. Oxygen is a highly reactive nonmetal present in group-16 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 8 and is represented by the symbol O.

Silver Acetate is a white crystalline chemical compound with the molecular formula C₂H₃AgO₂. It has a slightly acidic odor. Silver Acetate is a photosensitive compound i.e., sensitive to light. It is a moderately water-soluble crystalline silver source that decomposes to silver oxide on heating. Silver Acetate is used in the medical field to manufacturing anti-smoking medicine and also in the preparation of reflective, conductive silvered polymer films. The other names for Silver Acetate are Silver monoacetate and Silver ethanoate.

Preparation of Silver Acetate

• Silver Acetate is prepared by the reaction between Acetic acid and Silver carbonate at 45-60 °C. Along with the Silver Acetate compound Water and Carbon dioxide are also generated.

2CH₃CO₂H + Ag₂CO₃ ⇢ 2C₂H₃AgO₂ + H₂O + CO₂

• Silver Acetate is prepared by the reaction between Silver nitrate and Sodium acetate solutions.

AgNO₃ + CH₃COONa ⇢ CH₃COOAg + NaNO₃

Structure of Silver Acetate

Silver Acetate Structure

Physical Properties of Silver Acetate

• The appearance of Silver acetate is a white crystalline compound.
• Molecular weight of Silver acetate is 166.912 g/mol.
• The boiling point of Silver acetate is 220 °C.
• Its density is 3.26 g/cm³.
• Silver Acetate is not soluble in water.

Chemical Properties of Silver Acetate

• Silver acetate reacts with molecular Hydrogen (H₂) in presence of catalysts like nickel, palladium, or platinum to produce silver metal.

2CH₃CO₂Ag + H₂ ⇢ 2Ag + 2CH₃CO₂H

• On heating, Silver acetate decomposes to give products like acetone, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and silver metal. The chemical reaction is given below-

2CH₃CO₂Ag ⇢ 2Ag + (CH₃)₂CO + CO₂ + (1/2)O₂

• When Silver acetate reacts with methyl bromide to give Methyl acetate. The chemical reaction is given below-

CH₃COOAg + CH₃Br ⇢ CH₃COOCH₃ + AgBr

Uses of Silver Acetate

• Silver acetate is used as a pesticide.
• Silver Acetate is used in the medical field to manufacture anti-smoking medicines.
• It is also used in chewing gums.
• Silver acetate is used in the preparation of reflective, conductive silvered polymer films.
• It is used as a laboratory reagent.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Is silver acetate an acidic compound or an alkaline compound?

Answer:

Silver acetate is an acidic compound. It is a strong acid and come under the class of acetate salts. Acetate is a type of salt formed by the combination of acetic acid with some base.

Question 2: Find the molecular weight of Silver Acetate?

Answer:

Molecular formula of silver acetate is C₂H₃AgO₂.

Atomic weight of each Carbon atom = 12.011 

Atomic weight of each Hydrogen atom = 1.00784 

Atomic Weight of Silver = 107.8682 

Atomic weight of each Oxygen atom = 15.999 

Molar mass of C₂H₃AgO₂ = (2 × 12.011) + (3 × 1.00784) + 107.8682 + (2 × 15.999)

= 166.91

Question 3: Is Silver Acetate an Organic/Inorganic compound?

Answer:

Any compound consists of carbon atom is considered as an Organic compound. In silver acetate Carbon atoms are present. So it is considered as Organic compound.

Question 4: Is Silver acetate soluble in water?

Answer:

Silver acetate is partially soluble in water. But its solubility increases with increase in temperature. Silver acetate is soluble in Dilute HNO₃.

Question 5: What are the uses of Silver Acetate?

Answer:

Silver acetate is used as reagent, pesticides. It is used in medical fields in manufacturing anti smoking medicines. It is also used in preparation of reflective, conductive silvered polymer films.

Question 6: What happens when Silver acetate is heated?

Answer:

Silver acetate on heating decomposes to give products like acetone, carbon dioxide, oxygen and silver metal.

2CH₃CO₂Ag ⇢ 2Ag + (CH₃)₂CO + CO₂ + (1/2)O₂