Silver Phosphate is also called Silver Orthophosphate. Its IUPAC name is Silver(1)Phosphate. Silver phosphate structure is a cubic crystal structure. Silver Phosphate (Ag₃PO₄) is an inorganic salt contains three silver cations (Ag+ ) and one phosphate anion. Silver Phosphate is not found in naturally in environment. It is prepared in the laboratory via a reaction of Silver Nitrate and Orthophosphate salt. It’s a yellow solid and insoluble in water. It exhibits antibacterial properties. It is used as a drug in the treatment of cancer patients. Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to the eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also causes skin irritation and coughing.

Structure of Silver(I)Phosphate

The structure of Silver(I) Phosphate is shown below, it contains 3 Silver Cations and 1 Phosphate Anion.

 

Physical Properties of Silver Phosphate

• Color – Silver Phosphate is a Yellow solid.
• Odor – Silver Phosphate is odorless.
• Molar mass – Its molar mass is 419 g/mol
• Melting Point – its melting point is 848 degrees Celsius.
• Solubility – It is water insoluble. It is moderately soluble in dilute acetic acid and it is soluble in dilute HNO_3, ammonia, thiosulphates, and ammonium carbonate.
• Flame – It is non-flammable or non-sooty.
• Density – its density is 6.38 g/mL

Preparation of Silver Phosphate 

Silver Phosphate is prepared when silver nitrate and salt orthophosphate reacted. The product obtained via the reaction of silver nitrate and orthophosphate is Silver Phosphate which is not soluble in water, it can be filtered and taken as a pure yellow solid.

AgNO₃ + PO₄^3-   ⇢    Ag₃PO₄ (S)

Silver Phosphate can be prepared when trisodium phosphate reacts with silver nitrate and form silver phosphate and sodium nitrate.

Na₃PO₄    + 3AgNO₃   ⇢      Ag₃PO₄  +  3NaNO₃

 Silver Phosphate can also be prepared when Silver nitrate is treated with Tripotassium Phosphate then it forms Silver Phosphate and potassium nitrate.

K₃PO₄   +    3AgNO₃       ⇢      Ag₃PO₄    +   3KNO₃

Silver Phosphate is prepared when silver nitrate reacts with phosphoric acid then it also forms silver phosphate.

H₃PO₄       +      3AgNO₃        ⇢       Ag₃PO₄    +  3HNO₃

 Silver Phosphate can also be prepared if silver nitrate is reacted with lead phosphate, then it forms silver phosphate and lead nitrate.

Pb₃(PO₄)₂   +   AgNO₃        ⇢          Ag₃PO₄       +     Pb(NO₃)₂

Chemical Properties of Silver Phosphate

• when silver nitrate is added to phosphate ion at high-temperature shows a condensation reaction and forms silver pyrophosphate.
• Silver Phosphate on reaction with potassium permanganate gives silver permanganate and tribasic potassium phosphate. It shows a double displacement reaction and redox reaction. 

Ag₃PO₄ +3KMnO₄  ⇢ 3AgMnO₄ +  K₃O₄

• When Silver Phosphate reacts with nitric acid then it is from Silver nitrate and phosphoric acid.

HNO₃   + Ag₃PO₄   ⇢  H₃PO₄  +  AgNO₃

• Silver phosphate on reaction with ammonium hydroxide gives diamine silver phosphate and water.

Ag₃PO₄  +  6(NH₃ . H₂O)       ⇢     [Ag(NH₃)₂]₃PO₄   +   6H₂O

Uses of Silver Phosphate

• Silver Phosphate is used as an antibacterial agent in materials because it shows an antibacterial property.
• Used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.
• Used for medical purposes and pesticides.
• Used in photography as emulsion, because silver phosphate is a light-sensitive agent.
• Used to determine the concentration of phosphate ion in solution.
• Used as anti-inflammatory
• It shows anticancer activity and is used as a drug for anticancer.
• It is used in silver staining of biological materials.

Harmful Effects of Silver Phosphate

Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to the eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also causes skin irritation. It also causes coughing.

FAQs on Silver Phosphate

Question 1: What is the occurrence of Silver Phosphate?

Answer:

Silver Phosphate is not found in nature. It is prepared in laboratory via reaction of silver nitrate and orthophosphate salt. Its a yellow solid and insoluble in water.

Question 2: Which type of structure of Silver phosphate?

Answer:

Silver phosphate structure is cubic crystal structure. The (Ag₃PO₄) inorganic salt contain three silver cations (Ag⁺) and one phosphate anion (PO₄^3-)  

Question 3: Is silver phosphate causing danger?

Answer:

Silver Phosphate on burning produces toxic fumes which cause irritation to eyes and cause of respiratory diseases, it also cause skin irritation.

Question 4: What is the solubility of silver phosphate?

Answer:

Silver Phosphate is water insoluble. It is moderately soluble in dilute Acetic Acid and it is soluble in dilute HNO₃, Ammonia, Thiosulphates, Ammonium carbonate.

Question 5: What is the use of Silver Phosphate?

Answer:

Silver phosphate used in photographic material because silver phosphate act as light sensitive agent. It used in medical as Silver phosphate show anticancer or anti inflammatory properties. It used as catalyst in many chemical reactions. It used as pesticide also.