Structure and Reactions
The solid adopts the fcc NaCl structure, in which each Ag+ ion is surrounded by an octahedron of six chloride ligands. AgF and AgBr crystallize similarly. However, the crystallography depends on the condition of crystallization, primarily free silver ion concentration, as is shown on the pictures left (greyish tint and metallic lustre are due to partly reduced silver). AgCl dissolves in solutions containing ligands such as chloride, cyanide, triphenylphosphine, thiosulfate, thiocyanate and ammonia. Silver chloride reacts with these ligands according to the following illustrative equations:
- AgCl(s) + Cl−(aq) → AgCl2−(aq)
- AgCl(s) + 2S2O32−(aq) → 3−(aq) + Cl−(aq)
- AgCl(s) + 2NH3(aq) → +(aq) + Cl−(aq)
Most complexes derived from AgCl are two-, three-, and, in rare cases, four-coordinate, adopting linear, trigonal planar, and tetrahedral coordination geometries, respectively.
Read more about this topic: Silver Chloride
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