Transition Metals- Formation of a Silver Mirror

Formation of a Silver Mirror

Description:  The Tollen’s test reaction is a test for the presence of aldehydes.  A silver amine complex is formed using strong base and silver nitrate. This complex will react with a reducing sugar producing a silver coating on the inside of a flask.

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z  Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1991  Vol: 4  Page: 240

Keywords: Tollen’s Test, Silver Ammonia,  Reduction, Aldehyde

Rating:

Hazard: High

• Oxidizing liquids
• Severe skin burn hazard
• Acute toxicity hazard – oral, inhalation
• Electric shock hazard
• Scalding hazard
• Corrosive to metals
• Serious eye damage
• Short and long term aquatic toxicity hazard

Effectiveness: Excellent

• Results are deeply engaging to audience
• Obvious contrast between behavior of systems
• Spectacular effects are seen by audience
• Time to results is medium
• Good connection from demo to course material
• Moderate reliability

Difficulty: High

• Some concerted or time-dependent manipulations
• Handling of organic chemicals
• Demo at non-standard conditions
• Some intermediate steps to results
• Sequential results dependent procedure
• Manipulation of hot glassware
• Temperature dependent results
• Use of toxic reagents

Safety Procedures:

• Eye protection required
• Gloves required
• Thermal gloves recommended
• Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
• Absorbent material on hand
• Downdraft hood recommended
• Use of chemically resistant surface required
• Perform in a well-ventilated area
• Sodium bicarbonate on hand
• Prevent release of reagents into the environment
• Avoid exposure to mists, gases, or vapors

Class: Organic  Chemistry, Redox Chemistry, Transition Metal Chemistry

Division: General, Organic Chemistry< Inorganic Chemsitry

Home| General Chemistry Demonstrations| Organic Chemistry Demonstrations