Description of experiment
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Needed compounds:
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sodium nitrite : NaNO2
ammonium chloride : NH4Cl
hydroxyl amine sulfate : (NH3OH)2 SO4
Class:
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elem=N
redox
Summary:
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Nitrites react with ammonium and with hydroxyl ammonium ions. In both cases
a colorless and odourless gas is formed.
Description:
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Sequence 1:
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Add some solid hydroxyl amine sulfate to a solution of sodium nitrite: The
solid dissolves and a colorless gas is formed. Finally all solid dossolves.
The temperature does not rise noticeably. The reaction proceeds smoothly
and is not vigorous.
Sequence 2:
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Add some water to a mixture of ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite: Both
solids dissolve, no visible reaction. The liquid becomes colorless.
Heat the liquid: Well before the boiling point of the liquid is reached, it
starts bubbling and a colorless gas is evolved. When the heating continues,
the bubbling becomes fairly vigorous. Shaking of the liquid also appears to
increase the rate of formation of the colorless gas. At a certain point in
time, the effervescence quickly ceases again and only very slowly, tiny
bubbles are formed in the liquid.
Remark:
The colorless gas, formed on heating an ammonium/nitrite solution is N2.
What is the colorless gas, formed on mixing hydroxyl ammonium and nitrite?
Is is N2 or N2O?