Silver complexes can often be used in investagative chemistry, easil in the laboratory, to help find out what products have been made in a reaction, or the old exam scenario of an unlabled bottle
[Ag(NH3)]+
This complex is formed when silver oxide is dissolved in aqeous ammonia, to form the colourless solution, known as Tollen's reagent. This reagent will react with an aldehyde , to form a silver mirror on the side of a test tube. However, it has no reation with a ketone.
RCHO + 2[Ag(NH3)]+ --> RCOO- + 2Ag + 4NH3 + 2H2O
Silver Nitrate
This complex, is usually found in solution form, and is used for determining, whether a halide is present in a solution.The process works by displacement, the Metal iion displaces the Ag ion, leaving a product of Silver Halide. This will precipitate out because it is no longer soluble. (except with F)
[Ag(S2O3)2]3-
This complex is formed when silver salts are dissolved Sodium Thiosulfate solution. The reaction is used in photography, Follow the link for more information.
Silver halides and Photography
Graham Ross Macleod april 2003