A report on Mercury (element), Silver and Ammonia

Mercury dissolves many metals such as gold and silver to form amalgams.

The resulting adduct can be decomposed with ammonia to release the free alkene.

Mercury(II) salts form a variety of complex derivatives with ammonia.

The abundance of silver in the Earth's crust is 0.08 parts per million, almost exactly the same as that of mercury.

Experts also warn that prolonged contact of ammonia solutions with silver, mercury or iodide salts can also lead to explosive products: such mixtures are often formed in qualitative inorganic analysis, and that it needs to be lightly acidified but not concentrated (<6% w/v) before disposal once the test is completed.