Question

Sodium argentocyanide is:
A) Complex salt
B) Weak salt
C) Weak electrolyte
D) Strong acid

Answer 1

Hint:We know that Argentite is an ore of silver. When this ore is treated with a solution of sodium cyanide, a precipitate of silver cyanide is formed. The precipitate of silver nitrate initially dissolves in excess of sodium cyanide to form soluble sodium argentocyanide. The reaction proceeds as:$A{g_2}S + NaCN \rightleftharpoons 2AgCN + N{a_2}S$
\[A{g_2}s + NaCN \rightleftharpoons Na[Ag{(CN)_2}]\]

 Complete step by step answer:
We know that a salt is an ionic compound which consists of positively charged ion (cation) and negatively charged anion (anion).
A complex salt is the one which contains one or more than one complex ions with which metal Centers and different molecules are attached. Also, a complex salt when dissolved in an aqueous solution does not completely dissociate into ions because we know that it is a coordination compound and a coordination compound retains its identity in the aqueous solution.
Therefore, sodium argentocyanide is a complex salt.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Additional information: Argentite can only exist above the temperature of $173^\circ C,177^\circ C\& 179^\circ C$
When it cools down to ordinary temperature it turns into monoclinic polymorph which is known as acanthite. It reduces metal availability and toxicity in contaminated soils. It is also used as a polish in sterling silver.

Note: A complex salt may or may not be ionic but the complex part will always contain coordinate bonds. Also, as we know sodium argentocyanide is a coordination compound so in coordination compound the metal ion satisfies its two types of valency’s called the primary and the secondary valency.