Tollen's reagent
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Description
An analytical reagent used to test for sugars and aldehydes. Tollen's reagent is prepared from equal amounts of 10% silver nitrate and 10% sodium hydroxide solutions. Once mixed, just enough dilute liquid ammonia is added to dissolve the precipitated silver oxide. Sugars and aldehydes react with Tollen's reagent to produce metallic silver forming a characteristic silver mirror.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Tollens reagent
Risks
- Old, opaque or dried solutions can be explosive.