[scubasteve8542]

If I were to make ammoniacal silver chloride through the following series of reactions, would it be dangerous?  I am mainly concerned about the possibility to make explosive compounds like in Tollen's reagant.

Here is my proposed synthesis:

AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) –> AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)

Then decant 3 times to remove NaNO3.

AgCl(s) + 2NH3(aq) <–> [Ag(NH3)2+] (aq) + Cl-(aq)


Tollen's reagant is formed as follows:

2 AgNO3 + 2 NaOH → Ag2O (s) + 2 NaNO3 + H2O

Ag2O (s) + 4 NH3 + 2 NaNO3 + H2O → 2 [Ag(NH3)2]NO3 + 2 NaOH

I have read some literature which seems to indicate the explosive compound is most likely Ag3N.  Some think that this is related to silver oxide (reacting with ammonia).  If I follow the procedure I outlined, should I be safe?  Or is silver oxide, and therefore the silver nitride, likely/able to form?
Thanks!

[chenbeier]

These compounds get dangerous if getting dry. After doing the analysis, neutralize with acid and waste them.