Silver nitrate

Athanor · official

AgNO₃ · 169.873 g/mol

Also called lunar caustic

Inorganic

Open in Athanor

Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit

DangerMay intensify fire; oxidizer · Causes severe skin burns and eye damage · Very toxic to aquatic life · Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name: silver nitrate
Synonyms: lunar caustic, Argenti nitras, Lunar caustic
+ 36 more
Nitrate d'argent, Silver mononitrate, Silver(1+) nitrate, Silbernitrat, Nitric acid silver(I) salt, AgNO3, Argerol, Nitric acid silver(1+) salt, Nitrato de plata, Silver nitrate(DOT), Caswell No. 737, Argentum nitricum, Silver(I) nitrate (1:1), UTS Silverator Water Treatment Unit, 95IT3W8JZE, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 072503, DTXSID3032042, NSC-135800, CHEBI:32130, Silver Nitrate, Alcoholic, caustic, Avoca, Vet one, Silver nit caustic, GRAFCO, STYPTSTIX, Argentum nitricum 1M, Argentum Nitricum 6x, Repara Silver Nitrate, ARGENTUM NIT, ARGENTIO NITRATE, RefChem:6682, Argentum nitricum 200C, Silver Nitrate Applicator, Argentum Nitricum 200ck, Silver Nitrate Applicators
Molecular formula: AgNO₃
Empirical formula: AgNO₃
Molecular weight: 169.873 g/mol
Exact mass: 168.89291
CAS number: 7761-88-8
PubChem CID: 24470
Canonical SMILES: [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[Ag+]
Isomeric SMILES: [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[Ag+]
InChI: InChI=1S/Ag.NO3/c;2-1(3)4/q+1;-1
InChIKey: SQGYOTSLMSWVJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity

Appearance: Silver nitrate appears as a colorless or white crystalline solid becoming black on exposure to light or organic material.[1]
3 values
From CAMEO Chemicals, the most authoritative source here.
Value As written Source
–shown Silver nitrate appears as a colorless or white crystalline solid becoming black on exposure to light or organic material. [1] CAMEO Chemicals
– Liquid; Large Crystals; Liquid; Dry Powder; Large Crystals [2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
– ODOURLESS COLOURLESS OR WHITE CRYSTALS. TURNS GREY ON EXPOSURE TO LIGHT. [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Melting point: 212 °C[3]
3 values
2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).
Value As written Source
212 °C 414 °F (NTP, 1992) [1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
212 °Cshown 212 °C [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
210 °C 210 °C [5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
Boiling point: 440 °C (824 °F) at 760 mmHg (Decomposes) (NTP, 1992)[1]
Density: 4.35 @25 °C[5]
2 values
2 of 2 sources agree on it (most common value).
Value As written Source
– 4.35 at 66.2 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water [1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–shown 4.35 @25 °C [5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
1 more value was reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so it is not shown.
Solubility in water: Solubility in water: very soluble[3]
5 values
From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.
Value As written Source
– greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 61 °F (NTP, 1992) [1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
– For more Solubility (Complete) data for SILVER NITRATE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
– SOL IN ETHER, GLYCEROL [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 1883
– 245 g/100 g of water [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981., p. 2
–shown Solubility in water: very soluble [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Autoignition temperature: Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
Not flammable (USCG, 1999) (could not be read; source [1])

Value	As written	Source
–shown	Silver nitrate appears as a colorless or white crystalline solid becoming black on exposure to light or organic material.	[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–	Liquid; Large Crystals; Liquid; Dry Powder; Large Crystals	[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–	ODOURLESS COLOURLESS OR WHITE CRYSTALS. TURNS GREY ON EXPOSURE TO LIGHT.	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Value	As written	Source
212 °C	414 °F (NTP, 1992)	[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
212 °Cshown	212 °C	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
210 °C	210 °C	[5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

Value	As written	Source
–	4.35 at 66.2 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water	[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–shown	4.35 @25 °C	[5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

Value	As written	Source
–	greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 61 °F (NTP, 1992)	[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
–	For more Solubility (Complete) data for SILVER NITRATE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
–	SOL IN ETHER, GLYCEROL	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 1883
–	245 g/100 g of water	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981., p. 2
–shown	Solubility in water: very soluble	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms: 5
Rings: 0
Aromatic rings: 0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3): 0
H-bond donors: 0
H-bond acceptors: 3
Rotatable bonds: 0
TPSA (Å²): 66.2 computed here · PubChem 62.9
Formal charge: 0
Complexity: 18 PubChem
Stereocenters: None
Double-bond geometry: None specified
Point group: D3h of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

Ag63.50%
N8.25%
O28.25%

Isotope pattern

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P: -0.24 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility): -0.74 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility: 3.32 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

Molecular weight ≤ 500: 169.87
log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): -0.24
H-bond donors ≤ 5: 0
H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 3

Passes all four rules.

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [6].

Oxidizer
Corrosive
Environmental hazard

H272May intensify fire; oxidizer
H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H400Very toxic to aquatic life
H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements: P210, P220, P260, P264, P273, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P321, P363, P370+P378, P391, P405, P501

View all classifications (3)

[6] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH272, H314, H400, H410
[7] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.1% (1 of 803) of reports.
[7] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 803 reports · DangerH272, H290, H314, H318, H360D, H400, H410

Exposure limits

TLV: (as Ag): 0.01 mg/m[3]
IDLH: 10 mg Ag/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)[1]
IDLH: 10 mg/cu m (as ag). (silver (metal dust and soluble compounds, as Ag))[4]
EU-OEL: (as Ag): 0,01 mg/m[3]
MAK (Maximale Arbeitsplatz Konzentration): (inhalable fraction): 0.01 mg/m[3]

First aid

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: Refer to the "General First Aid" section. Specific First Aid: Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry. (ERG, 2024)[1]
General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped…[8]
Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.[3]
First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Refer immediately for medical attention .[3]

Storage

Separated from combustible substances, reducing agents and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Well closed. Store only in original container. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing.[3]
... Protect from light and store in inert, collapsible containers or in other suitable single-dose containers at 15-30 °C; freezing of the ophthalmic soln should be avoided and the soln should not be used when cold.[4]

Incompatibilities

Silver nitrate (or other soluble salt) reacts with acetylene in presence of ammonia to form silver acetylide, a sensitive and powerful detonator when dry. In the absence of ammonia, or when calcium acetylide is added to a silver nitrate soln, explosive double salts of silver acetylide and silver nitrate are produced. Mercurous acetylide precipitates silver acetylide from aqueous nitrate.[4]
Interaction (between silver nitrate and chlorosulfonic acid) is violent, (with) nitrosulfonic acid being formed.[4]
An intimate mixture of dry powdered magnesium and silver nitrate may ignite explosively on contact with a drop of water.[4]
For more Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities (Complete) data for silver nitrate (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.[4]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: Aladdin Scientific, LGC Standards, Biosynth.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

[1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[4]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[5]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[6]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[7]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[8]Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) · Public domain (US DOT) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[9]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.