Mixture of pure nitric acid and pure hydrochloric

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SUMMARY

A mixture of pure nitric acid (HNO3) and pure hydrochloric acid (HClO4) results in the formation of H2NO3(+) and ClO4(-) ions due to the stronger acidic nature of HClO4 compared to HNO3. The protonation of HNO3 occurs because the oxygens in HNO3 exhibit basic characteristics, allowing them to accept protons from HClO4. The greater electronegativity of chlorine in HClO4 compared to nitrogen in HNO3 contributes to this behavior, establishing a clear acid-base interaction between the two acids.

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Hi People,
Could someone please give me a hand with this question : Explain why a mixture of pure nitric acid and pure hydrochloric (VII) acid (HClO4) contains H2NO3(+) ions and ClO4(-) ions.

Thanks a lot,
Joe
 
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HClO4 is a stronger acid than HNO3. The oxygens on the HNO3 are slightly basic, so they get protonated by the HClO4 to give the observed species.
 
Movies is right. There is always a stronger acid than a weaker one, so the weaker one can behave a base towards the strong acid.

You may wonder why the oxygens on HNO3 is more basic than that of HClO4. It is likely that chlorine has greater electronegativity than nitrogen, so the electronegativity totals are greater in HNO3. This may be the cause.

Regards
chem_tr
 
Yes, think in terms of the stronger conjugate acid -base pair inclusive of the overall reaction.


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