Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Sodium nitrate synthesis
Thanatops1s
Hazard to Self
**




Posts: 54
Registered: 24-6-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 21:15
Sodium nitrate synthesis


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.

sodium nitrate pink.jpg - 335kB

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]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Brain&Force
Hazard to Lanthanides
*****




Posts: 1302
Registered: 13-11-2013
Location: UW-Madison
Member Is Offline

Mood: Incommensurately modulated

[*] posted on 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.




At the end of the day, simulating atoms doesn't beat working with the real things...
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Metacelsus
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2531
Registered: 26-12-2012
Location: Boston, MA
Member Is Offline

Mood: Double, double, toil and trouble

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 22:07


I don't understand. How are you oxidizing the ammonia to nitrate?



As below, so above.

My blog: https://denovo.substack.com
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Thanatops1s
Hazard to Self
**




Posts: 54
Registered: 24-6-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 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]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
papaya
National Hazard
****




Posts: 615
Registered: 4-4-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: reactive

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 23:12


The answer must be is your rubber hose.
View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top