Aluminium carbonate is a stable species formed on aluminium oxide surfaces when exposed to CO2. Let us see how Al2(CO3)3 and HNO3 react with each other in this article.
Aluminium carbonate [Al2(CO3)3] reacts with Nitric acid (HNO3) to form aluminium carbonate, water and carbon dioxide. Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong oxidising agent. Aluminium carbonate [Al2(CO3)3] is one of the few carbonates of aluminium present that have a weak alkaline nature.
We will discuss the key facts of the HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction, like redox reaction, balance chemical equation and net ionic equation through the article below.
What is the product of HNO3 and Al2(CO3)3
Aluminium nitrate [Al(NO3)3], carbon dioxide (CO2) and water are the products of HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction. Thus, the chemical equation for this reaction is,
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 = Al2(NO3)3 + CO2 + H2O
What type of reaction is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 is a reaction between metal carbonate and acid. Here Al2(CO3)3 is the metal carbonate and HNO3 is an acid.
How to balance HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3
The balanced chemical equation for HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is,
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 = Al2(NO3)3 + CO2 + H2O
- In the unbalanced chemical equation, designate each reactant and product a variable (a, b, c & d) representing the unknown coefficient.
- a HNO3 + b Al2(CO3)3 = c Al2(NO3)3 + d CO2 + e H2O
- Now, write the relevant quantity of reactant and products.
- H = a = 2e, N = a = 3c, O = 3a + 9b = 9c + 2d + e, Al = 2b = 2c, C = b = d.
- Using the gaussian elimination method, determine the solution of the above linear equation, which are as follows;
- a = 6, b = 1, c = 2, d = 3, e = 3.
- Thus, after substituting these values, the balanced chemical equation is,
- 6HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 = 2Al2(NO3)3 + 3CO2 + 3H2O
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 titration
The titration between HNO3 and Al2(CO3)3 is an acid-base titration. The endpoint will be determined at the point of neutralization.
Apparatus used:
Burette, funnel, conical flask, beaker, burette stand, pipette.
Indicator:
Methyl orange is used as an indicator.
Procedure:
- Wash, rinse and fill the burette with standardised Al2(CO3)3 solution and note the initial reading.
- Pipette 10mL of HNO3 in a conical flask and add 2-3 drops of methyl orange to it.
- Start titrating the HNO3 solution by adding Al2(CO3)3 solution to the conical flask in a dropwise manner.
- Note the reading of the burette when the colour of the solution changes to yellow.
- Repeat these steps to get concurrent readings.
- Concentration of HNO3 solution is calculated using the equation SHNO3 VHNO3 = SAl2(CO3)3 VAl2(CO3)3.
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 net ionic equation
The net ionic equation for HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is,
6H+ (aq.) + Al2(CO3)3 (s) = 2Al3+ (aq.) + 3H2O (l) + 3CO2 (g)
- Write the general balanced chemical equation.
- 6HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 = 2Al2(NO3)3 + 3CO2 + 3H2O
- Dedicate each compound to its chemical state (s, l, g, or aq.).
- 6HNO3 (aq.) + Al2(CO3)3 (s) = 2Al2(NO3)3 (aq.) + 3CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l)
- Split the strong electrolytes into their respective ions in an aqueous solution.
- 6H+ (aq.) + 6NO3– (aq.) + Al2(CO3)3 (s) = 2Al3+ (aq.) + 6NO3– (aq.) + 3H2O (l) + 3CO2 (g)
- Cancel the spectator ions to obtain the net ionic equation.
- 6H+ (aq.) + Al2(CO3)3 (s) = 2Al3+ (aq.) + 3H2O (l) + 3CO2 (g)
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 conjugate pairs
HNO3 and Al2(CO3)3 have the following conjugate acid-base pairs,
- The conjugate basic pair of HNO3 is NO3–.
- The conjugate pair of H2O contains H2O and its conjugate base OH‑.
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 intermolecular forces
HNO3 and Al2(CO3)3 have the following intermolecular forces,
- The intermolecular force between Al2(CO3)3 is an ionic bond as it is an ionic compound.
- Hydrogen bonding is present in the HNO3 molecule.
- H2O contains hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interaction.
- CO2 Contains London forces of attraction.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 a buffer solution
HNO3 and Al2(CO3)3 is not buffer solution because HNO3 is a strong acid and we need a weak acid or base to produce a buffer solution.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 a complete reaction
The HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is a complete reaction and no further dissociation or substitution is possible.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is exothermic reaction the evolution of heat accompanies metal carbonates and acid reactions.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 a redox reaction
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is not a redox reaction because the oxidation state of each atom remains the same throughout the reaction.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 a precipitation reaction
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is not a precipitation reaction no solid product is formed obtained at the end of the reaction.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reversible or irreversible reaction
The HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is irreversible reaction as the CO2 gas evolved cannot be reverted into the reaction mixture.
Is HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 displacement reaction
HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is not a displacement reaction; rather, it is a derivative of an acid-base reaction because here HNO3 act as an acid and Al2(CO3)3.
Conclusion:
This article concludes that metal carbonates and acids react to form carbon dioxide, salt and water. Acid-metal carbonates can be categorised under acid-base reaction as metal carbonates also have some basic character. HNO3 + Al2(CO3)3 reaction is undefined as the calculation of the enthalpy of formation for Al2(CO3)3 is difficult.
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