Tollen's reagent

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.