Dinitrogen pentoxide

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Dinitrogen pentoxide
Names
IUPAC name
Dinitrogen pentaoxide
Other names
Anhydrous nitric acid
Dinitrooxidane
DNPO
Nitric anhydride
Nitroether
Nitronium nitrate
Nitryl nitrate
Properties
N2O5
Molar mass 108.01 g/mol
Appearance White-yellowish solid
Odor Nitrogen dioxide
Density 2.05 g/cm3 (0 °C)
1.99 g/cm3 (16 °C)
1.642 g/cm3 (18 °C)
Melting point 41 °C (106 °F; 314 K)
Boiling point 47 °C (117 °F; 320 K) (sublimes)
Reacts
Solubility Soluble in 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, allyl chloride, bromine, chloroform, CCl4, dinitrogen tetroxide, nitric acid, nitromethane, pentachloroethane, POCl3, liq. SO2
Solubility in carbon tetrachloride 51.6288 g/100 ml (15 °C)[1]
Solubility in nitric acid 9 g/100 ml
Solubility in nitromethane 47.3084 g/100 ml (15 °C)
Vapor pressure 279 mmHg at 20 °C
Thermochemistry
178.2 J·mol-1·K-1 (s)
355.6 J·mol-1·K-1 (g)
−43.1 kJ/mol (s)
+11.3 kJ/mol (g)
Hazards
Safety data sheet None
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds
Nitrogen dioxide
Dinitrogen trioxide
Dinitrogen tetroxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Dinitrogen pentoxide is the chemical compound with the formula N2O5, an unstable nitrogen oxide, used as oxidizer in various chemical reactions, though now largely replaced by nitronium tetrafluoroborate.

Properties

Chemical

Dinitrogen pentoxide can nitrate organic compounds, similar to the nitrating mixture.

N2O5 + Ar–H → HNO3 + Ar–NO2

While not explosive on its own, N2O5 can form explosive mixtures with various organic compounds.

Physical

Dinitrogen pentoxide is a white to slight yellowish solid. It reacts exothermically with water to give nitric acid, but it is soluble in chloroform and nitromethane.

Availability

Dinitrogen pentoxide is not sold by any supplier and has to be made.

Preparation

Dinitrogen pentoxide can be obtained via dehydration of conc. nitric acid with conc. sulfuric acid or oleum, though phosphorus pentoxide gives better results. The N2O5 obtained this way however, is difficult to separate from the reaction product.

A very simple way of obtaining nitrogen pentoxide involves the reaction of nitrogen dioxide or dinitrogen tetroxide with ozone, reaction which takes place at low temperatures (-11 °C). A good solvent for the reaction is trifluoroacetic acid.

Another route involves the reaction between lithium nitrate with nitryl fluoride, at -196 °C in a passivated stainless steel cylinder.[2]

Projects

  • Synthesis of various energetic materials[3]

Handling

Safety

Dinitrogen pentoxide is a very poweful oxidizer and must be kept away from any combustible material.

Storage

Dinitrogen pentoxide should be used as soon as possible. At room temp it has a half-life of about 9 h, at 0 °C 2 weeks and at -60 °C around one year.

Disposal

Dissolution in large amounts of water will give nitric acid. Addition of a base will convert the acid to nitrate salt, which is easy to safely dispose of.

References

  1. Eyring, H.; Daniels, F.; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1930, 52 (4), pp 1472–1486
  2. Jochims, H.-W.; Denzer, W.; Baumgaertel, H.; Loesking, O.; Willner, H.; Berichte der Bunsen-Gesellschaft; vol. 96; nb. 4; (1992); p. 573 - 578
  3. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/files.php?pid=219365&aid=15690

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