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Making silver mirrors using chemistry

September 6, 2017

The silver that eventually coats the bottle originally comes from a solution of silver nitrate. In order to arrive at the perfect silver mirror, a few other reagents are necessary: ammonia and sodium hydroxide. The ammonia is necessary to react with the silver nitrate to produce something called ‘Tollens’ reagent’. Tollens’ reagent is a clear solution of a diamine silver (I) complex, often more simply referred to as ammoniacal silver nitrate. This reagent is commonly used in organic chemistry classes as a means to identify aldehyde compounds.

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Dover Chemical Corp

Dover Chemical Corporation is a leading producer of alkylphenols, chlorinated paraffins, polymer additives, liquid and solid antioxidants (including organophosphites), flame retardants, and additives for water-based and oil-based metalworking fluids. Our manufacturing facilities are located in Dover, OH and Hammond, IN. Our Dover location is along Interstate 77 in east central Ohio, providing easy access for shipping. Dover Chemical is proud to have earned ISO9001:2000 certification in recognition of our ongoing commitment to uncompromising quality. We join other members and partners of the American Chemical Council in our dedication to the principles of Responsible Care, including product stewardship, community awareness, emergency response, pollution prevention, process safety, distribution, and employee health & safety. Dover Chemical is a subsidiary of ICC Industries Inc., which is headquartered in New York City.

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Making silver mirrors using chemistry