Convert AgCl to AgNO3 - Ideas Inside

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on converting silver chloride (AgCl) back to silver nitrate (AgNO3) after a titration lab. Participants explore various chemical reactions, including the potential use of nitric acid (HNO3) and ammonia (NH4OH) to achieve this conversion. One suggested method involves forming a precipitate with NaOH, filtering it, and then adding HNO3 to produce AgNO3. However, attempts with ammonia were unsuccessful, while mixing NaOH with AgCl yielded a precipitate that could be filtered. The conversation highlights the complexity of the conversion process and the importance of solubility products in determining successful reactions.
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Homework Statement


In a titration lab we had water in it with Na2Cr04 and used AgNO3 to precipitate the Cl ions in the water and thus determine the amount of chlorine in the water. We were then left with AgCl in the beaker and poured it into a waste beaker. Now our teacher wants us to figure out how to convert the AgCl back to AgNO3. I have some ideas but not sure if they will work.

Homework Equations


AgCl + ? -> AgNO3
ksp of agcl= 1.8E-10, ksp of hcl = 1.1E-11, ksp cucl= 1.6E-7

The Attempt at a Solution


I figured that cuno3 could potentially remove the cl by the copper bonding with it. Then if a preciptiate forms and HNO3 and then have the NO3 bond with ag to get agno3. Again not too sure and any help much appreciated.
 
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Erm Nitric acid?

AgCl + HNO3 ----> AgNO3 + HCl ?

Looks bout right :)
 
I thought so too, but apparently silver chloride is insoluble in water and acids. I think I have to to something like form a precipitate with the chloride and then filter out and then add N03, I am more confused about how to form the precipitate.
 
You can dissolve AgCl complexing it.

Note that it is a known problem, for ideas google for reclaiming silver from the spent photographic fixer.
 
What about this:
AgCl + NH4Oh = AgOH + NH4Cl
AgOH = Ag2O
Ag2O is a precipitate, so filter out
Then: Ag20 + HNO3 = AgNO3 + H2O
 
You can either test the idea adding ammonia solution to the AgCl precipitate, or calculate the equilibrium using known values of solubility product.

IMHO neither approach is going to yield any success.
 
In case anyone wanted to know the ammonia didn't work in the lab but when NaOH + H20 was mixed with AgCl(s) a precipitate formed. Then used vacuum filtration to separate precipitate then added the nitric acid which produced AgNO3.
 
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