Chemical compound
Alternative titles: oxy acid; oxygen acid
Table of Contents

Oxyacid, phosphorous acid [Credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]phosphorous acidEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.any oxygen-containing acid. Most covalent nonmetallic oxides react with water to form acidic oxides; that is, they react with water to form oxyacids that yield hydronium ions (H3O+) in solution. There are some exceptions, such as carbon monoxide, CO, nitrous oxide, N2O, and nitric oxide, NO.

The strength of an oxyacid is defined by the extent to which it dissociates in water (i.e., its ability to form H+ ions). In general, the relative strength of oxyacids can be predicted on the basis of the electronegativity and oxidation number of the central nonmetal atom. The acid strength increases as the electronegativity of the central atom increases. For example, because the electronegativity of chlorine (Cl) is greater than that of sulfur (S), which is in turn greater than that of phosphorus (P), it can be predicted that perchloric acid, HClO4, is a stronger acid than sulfuric acid, H2SO4, which should be a stronger acid than phosphoric acid, H3PO4. For a given nonmetal central atom, the acid strength increases as the oxidation number of the central atom increases. For example, nitric acid, HNO3, in which the nitrogen (N) atom has an oxidation number of +5, is a stronger acid than nitrous acid, HNO2, where the nitrogen oxidation state is +3. In the same manner, sulfuric acid, H2SO4, with sulfur in its +6 oxidation state, is a stronger acid than sulfurous acid, H2SO3, where a +4 oxidation number of sulfur exists.

The salt of an oxyacid is a compound formed when the acid reacts with a base: acid + base → salt + water. This type of reaction is called neutralization, because the solution is made neutral.

Oxyacids of nitrogen

Nitric acid and nitrate salts

Nitric acid, HNO3, was known to the alchemists of the 8th century as “aqua fortis” (strong water). It is formed by the reaction of both dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with water. Small amounts of nitric acid are found in the atmosphere after thunderstorms, and its salts, called nitrates, occur widely in nature. Enormous deposits of sodium nitrate, NaNO3, also known as Chile saltpetre, are found in the desert region near the boundary of Chile and Peru. These deposits can be 3 km (2 miles) wide, 300 km (200 miles) long, and up to 2 metres (7 feet) thick. Potassium nitrate, KNO3, sometimes called Bengal saltpetre, is found in India and other countries in East Asia. Nitric acid can be prepared in the laboratory by heating a nitrate salt, such as those mentioned above, with concentrated sulfuric acid; for example,NaNO3 + H2SO4 + heat → NaHSO4 + HNO3. Since HNO3 boils at 86 °C (187 °F) and H2SO4 boils at 338 °C (640 °F) and NaNO3 and NaHSO4 are nonvolatile salts, nitric acid is easily removed by distillation.

Commercially, nitric acid is produced by the Ostwald process. This process involves oxidation of ammonia, NH3, to nitric oxide, NO, further oxidation of the NO to nitrogen dioxide, NO2, and then conversion of the NO2 to nitric acid (HNO3). This is a flow process in which a mixture of ammonia and excess air is heated to 600 to 700 °C (1,100 to 1,300 °F) and passed through a platinum-rhodium catalyst. (A catalyst increases the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed in the reaction.) As the oxidation to NO occurs, this gaseous mixture literally burns with a flame. Additional air is added to oxidize the NO to NO2. The NO2, excess oxygen, and the unreactive nitrogen from the air are passed through a water spray, where HNO3 and NO form as the NO2 disproportionates. The gaseous NO is recycled through the process with more air, and the liquid HNO3 is drawn off and concentrated. About 7 billion kg (16 billion pounds) of HNO3 are produced commercially in the United States each year, with the bulk of it made by the Ostwald process.

When pure, nitric acid is a colourless liquid that boils at 86 °C (187 °F) and freezes at −42 °C (−44 °F). Upon being exposed to light or heat, it decomposes to produce oxygen, water, and a mixture of nitrogen oxides (primarily NO2).4HNO3 + light (or heat) → 4ΝΟ2 + 2H2O + O2 Consequently, nitric acid is often yellow or brown in colour because of the NO2 that forms as it decomposes. Nitric acid is stable in aqueous solution, and 68 percent solutions of the acid (i.e., 68 grams of HNO3 per 100 grams of solution) are sold as concentrated HNO3. It is both a strong oxidizing agent and a strong acid. Nonmetallic elements such as carbon (C), iodine (I), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) are oxidized by concentrated HNO3 to their oxides or oxyacids with the formation of NO2; for example,S + 6HNO3 → H2SO4 + 6NO2 + 2H2O. In addition, many compounds are oxidized by HNO3. Hydrochloric acid, aqueous HCl, is readily oxidized by concentrated HNO3 to chlorine, Cl2, and chlorine dioxide, ClO2. Aqua regia (“royal water”), a mixture of one part concentrated HNO3 and three parts concentrated HCl, reacts vigorously with metals. The use of this mixture by alchemists to dissolve gold is documented as early as the 13th century.

The action of nitric acid on a metal usually results in reduction of the acid (i.e., a decrease in the oxidation state of the nitrogen). The products of the reaction are determined by the concentration of HNO3, the metal involved (i.e., its reactivity), and the temperature. In most cases, a mixture of nitrogen oxides, nitrates, and other reduction products is formed. Relatively unreactive metals such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and lead (Pb) reduce concentrated HNO3 primarily to NO2. The reaction of dilute HNO3 with copper produces NO, whereas more reactive metals, such as zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), react with dilute HNO3 to yield N2O. When extremely dilute HNO3 is used, either nitrogen gas (N2) or the ammonium ion (NH4+) may be formed. Nitric acid reacts with proteins, such as those in human skin, to produce a yellow material called xanthoprotein.

Nitrates, which are salts of nitric acid, are produced when metals or their oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates react with nitric acid. Most nitrates are soluble in water, and a major use of nitric acid is to produce soluble metal nitrates. All nitrates decompose when heated and may do so explosively. For example, when potassium nitrate (KNO3) is heated, a nitrite (a compound containing NO2) is formed, and oxygen gas is evolved.2KNO3 + heat → 2KNO2 + O2 When heavy metal nitrates are heated, the metal oxide is produced, as in, for example,2Cu(NO3)2 + heat → 2CuO + 4NO2 + O2.Ammonium nitrate, (NH4)2NO3, produces nitrous oxide, N2O, and is especially dangerous to heat or detonate.

Nitric acid is heavily used in the laboratory and in chemical industries as a strong acid and as an oxidizing agent. The manufacture of explosives, dyes, plastics, and drugs makes extensive use of the acid. Nitrates are valuable as fertilizers. Gunpowder is a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. Ammonal, an explosive, is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder.

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