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Nitric Acid Reactions with Metals & Non-Metals

Concentrated nitric acid acts as a powerful oxidizing agent, reacting with metals, non-metals, iron(II) salts, sulphites, and KI(aq). It reduces nitrate ions to nitrogen dioxide and oxidizes substances such as copper, carbon, sulphur, and iron(II) salts. The reactions produce various products including toxic nitrogen dioxide gas and iodine from KI(aq).

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8 views2 pages

Nitric Acid Reactions with Metals & Non-Metals

Concentrated nitric acid acts as a powerful oxidizing agent, reacting with metals, non-metals, iron(II) salts, sulphites, and KI(aq). It reduces nitrate ions to nitrogen dioxide and oxidizes substances such as copper, carbon, sulphur, and iron(II) salts. The reactions produce various products including toxic nitrogen dioxide gas and iodine from KI(aq).

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s2022057
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UNIT 20 Oxidation and reduction E1

Extension

Action of concentrated nitric acid on metals,


non-metals, iron(II) salts, sulphites and KI(aq)

Metals
Consider the action of concentrated nitric acid (about 15 mol dm–3)
on copper. The nitrate ions are reduced to nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The balanced redox equation for the reaction is:

Cu(s) + 2NO3–(aq) + 4H+(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

The corrosive nature of concentrated nitric acid is due to its


powerful oxidising property. Brown nitrogen dioxide gas is very toxic
and corrosive.

Non-metals
Hot concentrated nitric acid can oxidise non-metals such as carbon
and sulphur.

C(s) + 4HNO3(aq) CO2(g) + 4NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

S(s) + 4HNO3(aq) SO2(g) + 4NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

Iron(II) salts
Concentrated nitric acid oxidises iron(II) salts to iron(III) salts. Nitrogen
monoxide is produced and it reacts with oxygen in air to form brown
nitrogen dioxide gas.

3Fe2+(aq) + NO3–(aq) + 4H+(aq) 3Fe3+(aq) + NO(g) + 2H2O(l)

2NO(g) + O2(g) 2NO2(g)

Sulphites
Concentrated nitric acid oxidises sulphites to sulphates.

SO32–(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2NO3–(aq) 2–


SO4 (aq) + 2NO2(g) + H2O(l)
E2 TOPIC 5 Redox Reactions, Chemical Cells and Electrolysis

KI(aq)
Concentrated nitric acid reacts with KI(aq) to give iodine and nitrogen
dioxide gas.

2KI(aq) + 4HNO3(aq) I2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2KNO3(aq) + 2H2O(l)

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