Thanatops1s - 16-2-2014 at 21:15
I've made sodium nitrate via NaOH and NH4OH more times than I can remember with no issues. None so far now, but to speed up evaporation I thought I'd
boil down the solution to 50% volume or so first. I had an exterior vented fan but wasn't outside so I put a stopper on the flask which lead into a
flask of water to catch it. To my surprise, the water formed a deep pinkish red.
Little bit later, I changed out the flask for one with fresh water and now it's yellow.
[Edited on 17-2-2014 by Thanatops1s]
Brain&Force - 16-2-2014 at 21:44
I'm going to spitball here, but could it be either NO2 being formed or a contaminant in the ammonia (such as a surfactant)?
If it's NO2, hydrogen peroxide will oxidize it to nitric acid.
Metacelsus - 16-2-2014 at 22:07
I don't understand. How are you oxidizing the ammonia to nitrate?
Thanatops1s - 16-2-2014 at 22:09
NO2 is a distinct possibility since when I added the first but of NH4OH the was a quick but distinct puff of it that came out.
What % H2O2 would be adequate? I'd do search normally but since you brought it up figured I might was well ask.
[Edited on 17-2-2014 by Thanatops1s]
[Edited on 17-2-2014 by Thanatops1s]
papaya - 16-2-2014 at 23:12
The answer must be is your rubber hose.