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Silver Oxide: Silver Nitrate Precipitated with Solution of Potassa (USP 1870)
Silver oxide is a heavy, dark brown powder, and heating it to about 250 °C leaves pure silver. Potash added to a silver nitrate solution throws it down, and washing leaves potassium nitrate behind in the water.
Source: US Pharmacopoeia 1870, as quoted in the US Dispensatory (1907), Argenti Oxidum. Not given here: the strength of the solution of potassa; ours: potassium hydroxide in distilled water. Silver nitrate stains and burns skin: gloves and goggles. Picture drawn by Youblob.
Beginner
1 day
Instructions
1
1
Dissolve 4 troy oz silver nitrate in half a pint of water
Dissolve 4 troy oz silver nitrate in half a pint of water
Dissolve 4 troy ounces of silver nitrate in half a pint of distilled water. Silver nitrate stains and burns skin: gloves and goggles.
Materials for this step:
Silver Nitrate4 troy oz
Distilled Water0.5 pintTools needed:
Balance Scale
Borosilicate Beaker
Borosilicate Glass Rod
Nitrile Gloves
Chemical Splash Goggles2
2
Add solution of potassa while it still precipitates
Add solution of potassa while it still precipitates
Add solution of potassa, about a pint and a half or as much as needed, for as long as it still throws down a precipitate. Ours: potassium hydroxide dissolved in distilled water; the USP strength is not given here. Potash free of carbon dioxide keeps out silver carbonate.
Materials for this step:
Potassium Hydroxide1 as requiredDistilled Water1.5 pintTools needed:
Borosilicate BeakerBorosilicate Glass RodNitrile GlovesChemical Splash Goggles3
3
Wash, dry and store in the dark
Wash, dry and store in the dark
Wash the precipitate again and again with water until the washings are almost tasteless. Dry it and keep it in a well-stoppered bottle away from light. Ours: filter paper, and a low oven, well below the 250 °C at which it breaks down to silver.
Tools needed:
Filter PaperDistilled Water
Drying Oven
Dark Glass Jars with Airtight LidsMaterials
3- 4 troy ozPlaceholder
- 2 pintPlaceholder
- 1 as requiredPlaceholder
Tools Required
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