What is a Silver Carbonate (Ag₂CO₃)?

Silver Carbonate (Ag₂CO₃) is a pale yellow inorganic salt composed of silver ions (Ag⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻). It is unstable under light and heat, and darkens upon exposure to sunlight due to the formation of metallic silver. It is practically insoluble in water but dissolves in acids and in ammonia solution. Silver carbonate is primarily used as a catalyst, analytical reagent, and oxidizing agent in organic synthesis. In particular, it is used in the preparation of ethers and alcohols through reactions with alkyl halides. It also plays a crucial role in oxidation and dehalogenation reactions in organic chemistry.

Due to its sensitivity to heat and shock, silver carbonate should be handled carefully. It decomposes to metallic silver and carbon dioxide when heated, requiring stable storage conditions. It may also cause irritation to skin and eyes, so the use of appropriate protective equipment is advised. As a relatively expensive material, silver carbonate is mostly used in research applications and in the production of specialized high-performance chemical products.

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