Silver Phosphate is also called Silver Orthophosphate. Its IUPAC name is Silver(1)Phosphate. Silver phosphate structure is a cubic crystal structure. Silver Phosphate (Ag3PO4) is an inorganic salt contains three silver cations (Ag+ ) and one phosphate anion. Silver Phosphate is not found in naturally in environment. It is prepared in the laboratory via a reaction of Silver Nitrate and Orthophosphate salt. It’s a yellow solid and insoluble in water. It exhibits antibacterial properties. It is used as a drug in the treatment of cancer patients. Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to the eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also causes skin irritation and coughing.
Structure of Silver(I)Phosphate
The structure of Silver(I) Phosphate is shown below, it contains 3 Silver Cations and 1 Phosphate Anion.
Physical Properties of Silver Phosphate
- Color – Silver Phosphate is a Yellow solid.
- Odor – Silver Phosphate is odorless.
- Molar mass – Its molar mass is 419 g/mol
- Melting Point – its melting point is 848 degrees Celsius.
- Solubility – It is water insoluble. It is moderately soluble in dilute acetic acid and it is soluble in dilute HNO3, ammonia, thiosulphates, and ammonium carbonate.
- Flame – It is non-flammable or non-sooty.
- Density – its density is 6.38 g/mL
Preparation of Silver Phosphate
Silver Phosphate is prepared when silver nitrate and salt orthophosphate reacted. The product obtained via the reaction of silver nitrate and orthophosphate is Silver Phosphate which is not soluble in water, it can be filtered and taken as a pure yellow solid.
AgNO3 + PO43- ⇢ Ag3PO4 (S)
Silver Phosphate can be prepared when trisodium phosphate reacts with silver nitrate and form silver phosphate and sodium nitrate.
Na3PO4 + 3AgNO3 ⇢ Ag3PO4 + 3NaNO3
Silver Phosphate can also be prepared when Silver nitrate is treated with Tripotassium Phosphate then it forms Silver Phosphate and potassium nitrate.
K3PO4 + 3AgNO3 ⇢ Ag3PO4 + 3KNO3
Silver Phosphate is prepared when silver nitrate reacts with phosphoric acid then it also forms silver phosphate.
H3PO4 + 3AgNO3 ⇢ Ag3PO4 + 3HNO3
Silver Phosphate can also be prepared if silver nitrate is reacted with lead phosphate, then it forms silver phosphate and lead nitrate.
Pb3(PO4)2 + AgNO3 ⇢ Ag3PO4 + Pb(NO3)2
Chemical Properties of Silver Phosphate
- when silver nitrate is added to phosphate ion at high-temperature shows a condensation reaction and forms silver pyrophosphate.
- Silver Phosphate on reaction with potassium permanganate gives silver permanganate and tribasic potassium phosphate. It shows a double displacement reaction and redox reaction.
Ag3PO4 +3KMnO4 ⇢ 3AgMnO4 + K3O4
- When Silver Phosphate reacts with nitric acid then it is from Silver nitrate and phosphoric acid.
HNO3 + Ag3PO4 ⇢ H3PO4 + AgNO3
- Silver phosphate on reaction with ammonium hydroxide gives diamine silver phosphate and water.
Ag3PO4 + 6(NH3 . H2O) ⇢ [Ag(NH3)2]3PO4 + 6H2O
Uses of Silver Phosphate
- Silver Phosphate is used as an antibacterial agent in materials because it shows an antibacterial property.
- Used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.
- Used for medical purposes and pesticides.
- Used in photography as emulsion, because silver phosphate is a light-sensitive agent.
- Used to determine the concentration of phosphate ion in solution.
- Used as anti-inflammatory
- It shows anticancer activity and is used as a drug for anticancer.
- It is used in silver staining of biological materials.
Harmful Effects of Silver Phosphate
Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to the eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also causes skin irritation. It also causes coughing.
FAQs on Silver Phosphate
Question 1: What is the occurrence of Silver Phosphate?
Answer:
Silver Phosphate is not found in nature. It is prepared in laboratory via reaction of silver nitrate and orthophosphate salt. Its a yellow solid and insoluble in water.
Question 2: Which type of structure of Silver phosphate?
Answer:
Silver phosphate structure is cubic crystal structure. The (Ag3PO4) inorganic salt contain three silver cations (Ag+) and one phosphate anion (PO43-)
Question 3: Is silver phosphate causing danger?
Answer:
Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also cause skin irritation.
Question 4: What is the solubility of silver phosphate?
Answer:
Silver Phosphate is water insoluble. It is moderately soluble in dilute Acetic Acid and it is soluble in dilute HNO3, Ammonia, Thiosulphates, Ammonium carbonate.
Question 5: What is the use of Silver Phosphate?
Answer:
Silver phosphate used in photographic material because silver phosphate act as light sensitive agent. It used in medical as Silver phosphate show anticancer or anti inflammatory properties. It used as catalyst in many chemical reactions. It used as pesticide also.