Oxyacids of Nitrogen
An oxyacid is an acid that contains an oxygen atom bonded to
hydrogen atom and at least one other element. An oxyacid
dissociates in water to form H+ cation and anion of acid.
Nitrogen forms a number of oxyacids . The common oxyacids of
nitrogen are listed below
i. Hyponitrous acid (H2N2O2)
ii. Nitroxylic acid (H4N2O4)
iii. Nitrous acid (HNO2 )
iv. Nitric acid (HNO3)
v. Peroxonitric acid (HNO4)
Manufacture of nitric acid (Ostwald's process) :
Principle :
a) Catalytic oxidation of NH3 to NO :
Ammonia is oxidized to nitric oxide in presence of air (oxygen) at
800 o C to 850 oC over the catalyst platinum gauze( or rhodium-
platinum alloy) .
Pt gauze/ 800 oC
4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O + heat
b) Oxidation of NO to NO2 :
Nitric oxide is cooled at a temperature below 100o C and air
oxidized to NO2..
2NO + O2 2NO2
c) Oxidation of NO2 to nitric acid in presence of air and water :
NO2 formed is dissolved in water in presence of air (O2 ) and
then nitric acid is obtained.
4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O 4HNO3
(Nitric acid)
Fig: manufacture of nitric acid by Ostwald’s process
Working of the plant:
i) Converter:
NH3 gas is obtained from Haber’s process is mixed with pure and
dry air in the ratio of 1:8 by volume. The mixture is passed
through a converter containing platinum gauze ( 10% rhodium
and 90% platinum) catalyst . The converter is heated electrically
to about 800o C . Here, ammonia is catalytically oxidized to nitric
oxide.
Pt gauze/800o C
4NH3 + 5O2 4NO + 6H2O + heat
The above reaction is exothermic, therefore, the heat evolved in
the reaction maintains the required temperature and further
heating is not required.
ii) Cooler :
The nitric oxide along with unreacted gases and air coming out
of the converter are cooled a temperature below 100o C with
the help of cooler.
i i i ) Oxidation chamber :
Thus, cooled nitric oxide with air is passed into oxidation
chamber where it mixes with air (O2 ) and oxidizes to nitrogen
dioxide .
2NO + O2 2NO2
i v ) Absorption tower :
The NO2 gas from oxidation chamber are then passed through
absorption tower which is packed with acid-proof stone or
quartz. Water and air are sprayed from the top of absorption
tower. Water dissolves NO2 gas and produces nitric acid in the
presence of O2.
4NO2 + 2H2 O + O2 4HNO3
v) Concentration of nitric acid :
Thus, obtained nitric acid is about 60% concentrated. On
distillation , the concentration of nitric acid can be increased up
to 68% . This is the commercial nitric acid. Further concentration
of this 68% HNO3 by distillation under reduced pressure in the
presence of conc. H2 SO4 or P2 O5 (i.e. dehydrating agent) gives
98% HNO3 .
Q. Why is conc. HNO3 stored in dark brown bottle?
Ans : conc. HNO3 undergoes decomposition to produce NO2 , H2 O
and O2 gas in presence of light.
sun light(hv)
4HNO3 4NO2 + 2H2 O + O2
In order to cut of light , conc. HNO3 is stored in dark brown bottle.
