Structure and decomposition of the silver formate Ag(HCO2)

Abstract Crystal structure of the silver formate Ag(HCO 2 ) has been determined (orthorhombic, sp.gr. P ccn , a =7.1199(5), b =10.3737(4), c =6.4701(3)A, V=477.88(4) A 3 , Z=8). The structure contains isolated formate ions and the pairs Ag 2 2+ which form the layers in (001) planes (the shortest Ag–Ag distances is 2.919 in the pair and 3.421 and 3.716 A between the nearest Ag atoms of adjacent pairs). Silver formate is unstable compound which decompose spontaneously vs time. Decomposition was studied using Rietveld analysis of the powder diffraction patterns. It was concluded that the diffusion of Ag atoms leads to the formation of plate-like metal particles as nuclei in the (100) planes which settle parallel to (001) planes of the silver formate matrix.