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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: hatefulpingpong on March 18, 2020, 02:28:34 AM

Title: Need a little explanation
Post by: hatefulpingpong on March 18, 2020, 02:28:34 AM
Why isn't

NO2 + H2O = H2NO3?

I've seen that the result should be HNO3 + NO but I just can't figure out why.

Where does one of the hydrogen atoms go? And where do the extra N and O come from?

Thank you!
Title: Re: Need a little explanation
Post by: chenbeier on March 18, 2020, 02:39:04 AM
In NO2 is the Oxidation number of nitrogen +IV.

In aquaes solution a disproportion takes place to +III an +V

Figure out start with 2 NO2 + H2O =>

Title: Re: Need a little explanation
Post by: Enthalpy on March 23, 2020, 06:57:16 AM
Quote from: hatefulpingpong on March 18, 2020, 02:28:34 AM
Why isn't
NO2 + H2O = H2NO3?
I've seen that the result should be HNO3 + NO [...]

You miss coefficients at the moles of reactants and products.

And: not every compound is possible. HNO3, NO, NO2, N2O4, N2O5... exist. I haven't heard about H2NO3.

This is hard to predict with N and O. You have to know them.