Silver acetylide
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Silver acetylide is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Ag2C2, a metal acetylide. The name derived from the way it is synthesized, the alternative silver carbide is not used in literature, although the substance is similar to calcium carbide . It is a heat and shock sensitive high explosive with the unusual property that on ignition it does not evolve any gas.
[edit] Synthesis
Silver acetylide can be produced by passing acetylene gas through a solution of silver nitrate. [1]
The equation is as follows:
2 AgNO3(aq) + C2H2(g) → Ag2C2(s) + 2 HNO3(aq)
The reaction product is a greyish precipitate. This is the same synthesis from Berthelot in which he first found silver acetylide in 1866. [2]
Silver acetylide can be formed on the surface of silver or high-silver alloys, eg. in pipes used for transport of acetylene, if silver brazing was used in their joints.
[edit] Toxicity
As with all silver salts, silver acetylide is toxic. Ingesting as little as 2 grams can be fatal.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ G.-C. Guo, Q.-G. Wang, G.-D. Zhou, T. C. W. Mak (1998). "Synthesis and characterization of Ag2C2·2AgClO4·2H2O: a novel layer-type structure with the acetylide dianion functioning in a 6-η1,η1:η2,η2:η2,η2 bonding mode inside an octahedral silver cage". Chem. Commun.: 339 - 340. DOI:10.1039/a708439k.
- ^ M. P. Berthelot (1866). ".". Annalen der Chemie: 245.
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