Solved: Redox, Catalyzed Decomposition Reaction

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the redox reaction involving ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and zinc (Zn) in the presence of a chlorine catalyst. The reaction produces nitrous oxide (N2O) and water, confirming it as a redox process where zinc is oxidized to zinc oxide (ZnO) and nitrogen in NH4NO3 is reduced to N2O. The addition of water facilitates the reaction by dissolving salts and forming acidic conditions, which enhances the interaction between zinc and nitrate ions. The role of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as a catalyst is also noted, although its exact function remains unclear.

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  • Understanding of redox reactions and oxidation states
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  • Knowledge of ammonium nitrate and its thermal decomposition properties
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Soley101
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[SOLVED] Quickie; what reaction

I'm trying to find out what type of reaction this is.
a drop of water is added to a small pile of chemicals in a dish, after a few seconds, a blue flame and smoke is produced.

NH4NO3 reacts to form (with chlorine as catalyst) N2O and water

the experiment is called oxidation of zinc, so another equation is Zn and NH4NO3 react to form ZnO and water.

this is definitely a redox reaction right? but is there not a decompostition reaction first that allows the zinc to oxidize? so really, this reaction is oxidation reduction, catlyzed, and decomposition?
 
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Ammonium cloride.
Ammonium nitrate.
Zinc.
I have seen this formula before, it is called Negative X.
http://www.unitednuclear.com/negx.htm"
 
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but is the reaction soley redox, or are the steps different reactions as well.
 
the drop of water I suspect is only to get the materials in close contact

there seems to be no Cl2 (is a gas) around to promote the decompostion, otherwise it would already make the N2O and water (without the drop of water and the mixture would be wet)

therefore the change in NH4NO3 must be due to the oxidation of Zn

btw there is no NO2 in your 3rd equation

so I would say it is a pure redox reaction with Zn being oxidized to ZnO and the N in NH4NO3 reduced to N2O
 
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hmmm, thanks, ill have to look into decompositon in more detail next time, merci.
 
de rien
 
Soley101 said:
I'm trying to find out what type of reaction this is.
a drop of water is added to a small pile of chemicals in a dish, after a few seconds, a blue flame and smoke is produced.

NH4NO3 reacts to form (with chlorine as catalyst) N2O and water

the experiment is called oxidation of zinc, so another equation is Zn and NH4NO3 react to form ZnO and water.

this is definitely a redox reaction right? but is there not a decompostition reaction first that allows the zinc to oxidize? so really, this reaction is oxidation reduction, catlyzed, and decomposition?

1. H2O dissolves the salts forming NH4+ ions which make the solution acid.
2. Zn reacts with NO3- (and probably even with water) now that the solution is acid; the products are Zn++ and NO, N2O, N2 or NH4+, depending on the relative concentrations of Zn and NO3-: NO and N2O when NO3- is in eccess, NH4+ when Zn is in eccess. Also N2O is generated by the heat decomposition of NH4NO3 itself:
NH4NO3 + heat --> N2O + 2H2O.
3. The heat generated in reaction 2. starts the reaction between solid Zn and solid NH4NO3 that now proceeds on its own.
NH4Cl is used as catalist, but I don't know its exact functioning.
 
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It could be that the NH4Cl reacts with the dilute acid to produce HCl. The HNO3 present would react with it producing an http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia" type reagent.
 
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who new this was so difficult, i am trying to simplify it , thanks for yer help maties.
 

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