Chemical Properties of Nitric Acid

Nitric acid is prepared by Ostwald's process. It a very powerful oxidizing agent.

1. Chemical Properties of HNO 3 XII CHEMISTRY Sidra Javed

2. Chemical properties of HNO 3 are of 3 types Acidic properties Nitrating properties Oxidizing properties

3. Acidic properties of HNO 3 HNO 3 is a strong monobasic/monoprotic acid i.e. provide only 1 H + ion HNO 3 + H 2 O → H 3 O + + NO 3 - Neutralizes alkalis/bases to give salt and water HNO 3 + NaOH → NaNO 3 + H 2 O

4. Nitrating properties of HNO 3 HNO 3 is a good nitrating age nt When HNO 3 vapors are passed through Methane at 450 o C in presence of copper, nitromethane is formed. CH 4 + HNO 3 CH 3 NO 2 + H 2 O Cu 450 o C

5. Nitrating properties of HNO 3 : Nitration of Benzene in presence of H 2 SO 4 :

6. Oxidising properties of HNO 3 : HNO 3 is a strong oxidising agent Oxidation State of N changes from N +5 to N -3 Degree of oxidation depends upon: Concentration of acid Lower concentration of acid → Greater oxidation Nature of element Highly reactive element → Greater oxidation

7. Reaction with Cu metal Concentrated HNO 3 reduces to NO 2 Cu + 4HNO 3 (conc) → Cu(NO 3 ) 2 + 2NO 2 + 2H 2 O

8. Reaction with Cu metal Dilute HNO 3 reduces to NO 3Cu + 8HNO 3 (dil) → 3Cu(NO 3 ) 2 + 2NO + 4H 2 O

9. Reaction with Mg (more reactive metal) Dilute HNO 3 reduces to N 2 O 4Mg + 10HNO 3 → 4Mg(NO 3 ) 2 + N 2 O + 5H 2 O

10. Reaction with Zn (More reactive metal) Very dilute HNO 3 reduces to NH 4 NO 3 4Zn + 10HNO 3 → 4Zn(NO 3 ) 2 + NH 4 NO 3 + 3H 2 O

11. Reactions with Nonmetals HNO 3 oxidizes nonmetals and reduces to NO 2 S + 6HNO 3 → H 2 SO 4 + 6NO 2 + 2H 2 O P + 5HNO 3 → H 3 PO 4 + 5NO 2 + H 2 O Si + 4HNO 3 → SiO 2 + 4NO 2 + 2H 2 O

12. Importance & Uses of HNO 3

13. Fertilizers NH 4 NO 3 , NaNO 3 etc

14. Explosives Nitro glycerine

15. Explosives Dynamite