Dynamic Equilibrium between Nitrogen Dioxide and Dinitrogen Tetroxide

The reversible reaction between NO2 and N2O4 is exothermic on forming N2O4 and endothermic on forming NO2. LeChatelier prediicts that heating the mixture will favour the formation of NO2. (Adding energy assists the endothermic reaction and inhibits the exothermic reaction, changing the rates of the forward and backward reactions. Increasing the rate of one reaction more than the other changing the composition of the equilibrium mixture.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• equilibrium
• equilibria
• NO2
• N2O4
• dinitrogen
• tetroxide
• nitrogen
• dioxide
• exothermic
• endothermic

[ChemPics]

It is quite safe in a glass tube sealed over, if you don't heat it over 100 Deg C.

[ChemPics]

Prepare N2O4 as below. To seal tube. Use a tube 20 cm long. Seal one end and cool the tube in ice/salt mix. Use the hottest flame you can (oxyacetylene if you can. oxymethane ec). Incline it at 90 degrees. Use gloves. Put the N2O4 into the tube. Heat centre of tube and twist top and bottom of tube to seal centre as quickly as possible.

[janyn222222]

can we please use your video for our chem project? it's really important. we'll give credits

[ChemPics]

@janyn222222 . Si so long as you give credits, you can. yes. Can see your project when its done? Where are you.? Good luck. Mike

[Fangjim]

so how would i get N2O4

[ChemPics]

See reply to LazyLP Make NO2 by reaction between Cu metral and Conc HNO3.

[spotlightman1234]

i have a question, how safe would it be if i made an amplue of a small amount of liquid N2O4? Is there a chance fo explosion from pressure?

[spotlightman1234]

@ChemPics could you give me some tip on sealing the test tube or know of of making N2O4 ampules please. it's for school.

[Libertarianist]

@LazyPL It can easily be prepared in the lab from nitric oxide (NO), which oxidizes spontaneously with air.

2 NO + O2 → 2 NO2

Nitric oxide can be prepared by the reaction of nitric acid (or an acidified solution of potassium nitrate) with copper.

8 HNO3 + 3 Cu → 3 Cu(NO3)2 + 4 H2O + 2 NO

Careful, NO2 is toxic, and nitric acid is highly corrosive.

[ChemPics]

Not bought, made. See reaction between copper metal and conc nitric acid. Pass gas into U tube packed in ice from freezer mixed with NaCl. It will form N2O4 liquid. Pour into glass tube prepared beforehand. Then seal glass tube.OK