Hazards:
Silver nitrate stains fingers
Sodium hydroxide is caustic and toxic
Ammonia is caustic and has irritating vapors
The greatest is hazard is formation of silver fulminate. To avoid formation of silver fulminate dispose of the Tollens test immediately after performing the experiment.
Chemicals and Solutions:
Tollens Solution A
Tollens Solution B
Procedure:
500 ml test tube and rack
Add 6 mL of Tollen's Solution A to the large test tube.
Pour in 400 mL of Tollen's Solution B. Within a minute the tube should darken and begin to form a silver mirror.
To schedule a demonstration, please send an email to the demonstration lab.
Contact:
Eric Camp
Lecture Demonstration Technician
Bagley Hall 171
(206) 543-1606