IChO 2003 · Theory problem 24

Zinc and nitric acid

Under certain conditions of concentration and temperature \(\ce{HNO3}\) reacts with \(\ce{Zn}\) and its reduction products are \(\ce{NO2}\) and \(\ce{NO}\) in a molar ratio 1 : 3. How many moles of \(\ce{HNO3}\) are consumed by 1 mol of \(\ce{Zn}\)?

a) 2.2 ( )
b) 2.4 ( )
c) 2.6 ( )
d) 2.8 ( )
e) 3.0 ( )
f) 3.2 ( )

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 24. d) \(\boxed{2.8\ \mathrm{mol}}\) of nitric acid, \(\ce{HNO3}\) (O=[N+]([O-])O), is consumed by \(1\ \mathrm{mol}\) of zinc. Mark option d).

Solution

24. Zinc is oxidized from oxidation state \(0\) to \(+2\), so \(1\ \mathrm{mol}\) of zinc releases \(2\ \mathrm{mol}\) of electrons.

Nitrogen has oxidation state \(+5\) in nitric acid. Its reduction products are:

  • Nitrogen dioxide, \(\ce{NO2}\) (O=[N+][O-]): nitrogen is \(+4\), requiring one electron per molecule. This SMILES represents a radical using one formal charge arrangement.
  • Nitrogen monoxide, \(\ce{NO}\) ([N]=O): nitrogen is \(+2\), requiring three electrons per molecule.

Let \(x\ \mathrm{mol}\) of \(\ce{NO2}\) and \(3x\ \mathrm{mol}\) of \(\ce{NO}\) form per mole of zinc. Electron balance gives \[ x+3(3x)=2, \qquad x=0.20. \] Thus, the amount of nitric acid reduced is \[ n_{\text{reduced}}=(0.20+0.60)\ \mathrm{mol} =0.80\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

Another \(2\ \mathrm{mol}\) of nitric acid supplies the nitrate ions, \(\ce{NO3-}\) ([O-][N+](=O)[O-]), needed to form \(1\ \mathrm{mol}\) of zinc(II) nitrate, \(\ce{Zn(NO3)2}\) ([Zn+2].[O-][N+](=O)[O-].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]). The salt’s SMILES specifies its ionic composition.

The balanced overall reaction is \[ \ce{5Zn + 14HNO3 -> 5Zn(NO3)2 + NO2 + 3NO + 7H2O}, \] where \(\ce{H2O}\) is water (O).

Therefore, \[ n(\ce{HNO3}) =2.00+0.80 =\boxed{2.8\ \mathrm{mol}} \] per \(1\ \mathrm{mol}\) of zinc, confirming option d).

The answers were checked against the official answers published by the organisers.