Description of experiment
Below follows a plain text transcript of the selected experiment.
Needed compounds:
-----------------
potassium dichromate : K2Cr2O7
sodium nitrite : NaNO2
potassium permanganate : KMnO4
chlorosulfonic acid : ClSO2(OH)
Class:
------
elem=N,S,Cl,Cr,Mn
acid/base
Summary:
--------
Chlorosulfonic acid is an extremely reactive compound. It reacts violently with
many salts of oxoacids.
Description:
------------
Add a few drops of chlorosulfonic acid to a spatula full of KMnO4 on a glass
plate: As soon as the drops of acid touch the permanganate, a very violent
reaction starts, in which a very ugly looking dark green cloud of smoke is
produced. The amount of smoke is amazing. In a later stage of the reaction the
smoke becomes somewhat lighter, but this most likely is due to the fumes of the
acid itself, which become visible as well.
Add a few drops of chlorosulfonic acid to a spatula full of NaNO2: The solid
starts bubbling strongly and a lot of orange/brown gas is produced, mixed with
white fumes. This gas probably is ONCl (nitrosyl chloride).
Add a few drops of chlorosulfonic acid to a spatula full of K2Cr2O7: The solid
starts bubbling. White fumes are produced, mixed with orange/brown vapor. The
vapor almost certainly is due to formation of CrO2Cl2 (chromyl chloride).