EXPERIMENT

NITROGEN OXIDATION NUMBERS

8 April 2016
A. Objective
Studying the redox reaction of nitric acid and nitrate salts , nitric acid and redox reactions
redox reaction of ammonia
B. Basic Theory
Nitrogen contained in the free atmosphere and is the largest atmospheric
constituent gases (78% ) . Compound that formed from the combination of nitrogen with
other elements very much . Of the nitrogen compounds have varying oxidation number
( +5 , +3 , +2 , +1 , 0 , -1 , -2 , -3 ) . Nitrogen can combine with hydrogen to form a hydride
compounds , with oxygen to form oxides , with hydrogen and oxygen to form oxyacids
and can also form the oxy acid halide compounds . In addition, nitrogen can also form as
sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate . Examples of nitrogen compounds and oxidation
number are presented in the following .
Oxidation number
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5

Compound
NH3 (ammonia)
N2H4 (hydrazin)
NH2OH (hydroxilamin)
N2 (dinitrogen)
N2O (dinitrogen oxide)
NO (nitrogen oxide)
N2O3 (dinitrogen trioxide)
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
HNO3 (nitrate acid)
(Tim Dosen Kimia Anorganik, 2015)

Redox (reduction / oxidation) is a term that describes the change in oxidation number
(oxidation state) atoms in a chemical reaction. This can be either a simple redox process
such as the oxidation of carbon to yield carbon dioxide, or the reduction of carbon by
hydrogen to yield methane (CH4), or it can be a complex process such as the oxidation of
sugar in the human body through a series of very complex electron transfer. The term redox
comes from the two concepts of reduction and oxidation. He can be easily explained as
follows: Oxidation describes the release of electrons by a molecule, atom, or ion. Reduction
describes the gain of electrons by a molecule, atom, or ion.
(Ranawijaya, 1985)
The element nitrogen can have several oxidation numbers, ie +5, 0, -3, where these three
are the most common oxidation states and stable among others. There are two common
nitrogen oxy acid, namely nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrous acid (HNO2). Nitric acid is a strong
acid and also as a strong oxidizing. Concentrated nitric acid which can oxidize almost all
metals except Au, Pt, Rh and Ir. Nitric acid is less stable than nitric acid and tend
terdisproporsionasi be NO and HNO3

(Responsible Course, 2014).

In ionic compounds, the oxidation number of an ion is equal to the ionic charge, the lithium
compound oxide and aluminum fluoride mentioned above, the oxidation number of lithium,
oxygen, aluminum, and flour each is +1. -2, +3 And -1. If the oxidation number of
compounds included in the formula, then this number is written on the emblem, with a plus
or minus sign in front of the numbers. If there is more than one atom in that formula, the
oxidation number is placed in parentheses, and the number of atoms is written as a
subscript of the right of the parentheses
(H. Sugiarto, 2003)
Most nitrogen is present in nature as N2 because this molecule is very stable . This gas is
colorless , odorless , ridak reactive , boils at -196 C and frozen at -210 C .
Ketidakreaktifan is caused by a triple bond strength .
:N N:
Bond energy is as high as 946 kJ/mol.
In the laboratory , the nitrogen can be made by heating a solution containing a salt of
ammonia and nitrite salts . The reaction is:
NH4+ (aq) + NO2- (aq)
N2 (g) + 2H2O (l)
Ammonia ( NH3 ) is a nitrogen compound that is very important because it is the raw
material for making otherFeimportant nitrogen compounds such as urea and nitrogen oxides .
Ammonia is commercially prepared by the Haber process , namely N2 and H2 gas mixing
with the iron catalyst .
1000
H2(g) + 3H2(g)
2NH3
H = -92kJ mol-1
atm
This reaction can be reversed so as to form an equilibrium .
In the laboratory , the ammonia is made from ammonium salts with strong bases or basic
oxide .
NaOH + NH4Cl NH3 + NaCl + H2O
CaO + 2NH4Cl 2NH3 + CaCl2 + H2O
Both of these reactions can be used for qualitative analysis of ammonium ion ( NH4 + ) with
ammonia odor that stimulate or tested with litmus . Ammonia is a colorless gas with a boiling
point of -33.35 C and -77.7 C freezing point .
Ammonia dissolved in water with a concentration of about 15m or 28 % by mass , because
the water and ammonia can form hydrogen bonds . Ammonia in water is alkaline due to the
equilibrium :
NH2 + H2O
NH4+ + OH- Kb = 1,8.10-5
Ammonia is useful for producing these compounds by the reaction of ammonia and oxygen (
Ostwald process ) .
4NH3 (g) + 5O2 (g)
4NO (g) + 6H2O (g)
Then immediately oxidized to NO2
2NO (g) + O2 (g) 2NO2 (g)
3NO2 (g) + H2O (l) 2HNO3 + NO (g)
Nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ) and nitrogen oxide ( NO ) is produced in the combustion of
ammonia to nitric acid .
NH3 (g)
NO (g)
NO2 (g)
HNO3 (g) + NO (g)
katali
Nitrogen oxide is a gas that is colorless and have unpaired electrons .
s
Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas , is toxic and has a resonance structure :

Nitric acid can not be isolated in pure liquid form because it is easily decomposed by
disproportionation reaction .
3HNO2 HNO3 + H2O + 2NO
HNO2 is oxidizing with iodine ions ( I- ) and as a reducing agent with the permanganate ion
(MnO4-).
2HNO2 + 2H+ + 2I- I2 + 2NO + 2H2O
5HNO2 + H+ + 2MnO4- Mn2+ + 5NO3- + 3H2O
In the laboratory , nitric acid is made through the following reaction :
KNO3 (s) + H2SO4 (l)
KHSO4 (s) + HNO3 (g)
Atoms formed can be separated by condensing because of its form in the form of gas .
Pure nitric acid is a colorless liquid , easily decomposes above 0 C to NO2, H2O dan O2.
4HNO3
4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O
Not reddish brown ( looks yellow when diluted )
HNO3 is a strong acid and a strong oxidizing . These compounds can dissolve most metals .
The results of the reaction depends on the concentration of HNO3 and dilute .
Cu + 2NO3- + 4H+ Cu2+ + 2NO2 + 2H2O (concentrate)
3Cu + 2NO3- + 8H+ 3Cu2+ + 2NO + 4H2O (aqueous)
(Achmad, 1992)
C. Equipment and Materials
Equipmet:
1. Test tube
2. 250ml beaker glass
3. 100ml Erlenmeyer
4. Stirring Bar
Materials:
1. Litmus indicator
2. Sulphuric acid 0,05 M
3. Kalium nitrat padat
4. Copper nitrate
5. Ammonium dichromate
6. Alumunium metal
7. Cu (keping logam)

8. NaOH 0,05 M
9. HNO3 concentrated
10. HNO3 7 M
11. HNO3 2 M
12. KI
13. KMnO4
14. Ice cube

D. Procedure
1. Redox reaction of nitric acid with nitrate salt

Experiment 1: The reaction of nitric acid with copper

Dilute 2 ml of nitric acid to
obtain a solution of nitric
acid 7 M.Add three pieces of
copper and note the gas
that is formed

Insert the copper metal into

a test tube.Add a few drops
of concentrated nitric
acid.Observe the reaction

Experiment 2: Heating of Nitrate Salts

Heat a solid KNO3 in a

test tube

In a different test
tube,heat the
Cu(NO3)2solid.Check
the gas and residual
solids generated in a
test tube

Observe the
changes that
occurred in both
tubes

Experiment 3: Nitrate reduction in alkaline solution

Insert into a test tube 2 ml
of 2M HNO3 and 5 ml of
dilute NaOH solution

Add one piece of metal

AI,then reheat.Check the
gas generated using litmus
paper

2. Redox reaction of nitric acid

Experiment 4: Formation and Redox Reaction of nitric acid
Refrigerate 10 ml of
dilute sulfuric acid in
a test tube with ice
for 5 minutes

Into the third

tube,add KMnO4
observe the changes

Enter the sulfuric

acid into the tube
containing 1 gr of
NaNO3

Into the second

tube,add a little
KI.Observe the
changes

Note the
color of the
solution,what
compounds
are formed

Divide the solution into

3 parts.Heat the tube
first and then observe
the gas is formed

E. Observation Data
a. Changes in the experiment 1:
a) When Cu added by HNO3 p.a, it becomes hot, change the blue litmus into red
color, have bubbles, the color of solution become blue greenish, appear yellow
brownis steam (vapor), the reaction is fast, and Cu completely reacted.
b) When Cu added by HNO 7M, it has bubbles, the reaction slower than being added
bt HNO3 p.a, the color of the solution light blue, Cu completely reacted, change
blue litmis into red color, appear light brown yellowish vapor.
b. Reaction that occur in the experiment 1:
a) Cu (s) + 4HNO3 conc. (aq) Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)
b) 3Cu (s) + 8HNO3 (aq) 3Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NO (g) + 4H2O (l)
c. Changes in the experiment 2:
a) KNO3 being heated becomes melted (colorless), gas, the color of litmus paper
didn;t chage, when it cooled produced precipitate
b) Cu(NO3)2 being heated, it becomes melted (blue), gas, change the blue litmus into
red color, when it cooled produced blue precipitate
d. Reaction that occur in the experiment 2:
a) 2KNO3 (s) 2KNO2 (l) + O2 (g)
b) Cu(NO3)2 (s) Cu(NO2)2 (s) + NO2 (g)
e. Changes in the experiment 3:
Before : colorless, there is no gas, blue litmus
After : colorless, many bubbles, blue litmus
f. Reaction that occur in the experiment 3:
a) NaOH (aq) + HNO3 (aq) NaNO3 (aq) + H2O (aq)
b) 3NO3- (aq) + 8Al (s) + 5OH- (aq) + 18 H2O(l) 3NH3 (g) + 8[Al(OH)4]-(aq)
g. Changes in the experiment 4:
H2SO4(aq) + NaNO3(s) NaHSO4(aq) + HNO2(aq) + O2(g)
H2SO4 is cooled becomes colorless solution
Added by NaNO3 1 gram becomes colorless solution and dissolved
h. Reaction that occur in the experiment 3:
1. Tube I : heated, colorless, therere many bubbles (when it heated), white vapor
H2SO4 (aq) + NaNO3 (s) NaHSO4 (aq) + HNO2 (aq) + O2(g)
3HNO2 (aq) HNO3 (aq) + 2NO (g) + H2O (l)
2. Tube II : when it being added by KI becomes yellow (light yellow)
2NO2- (aq) + 2I- (aq) + 4H3O+ (aq) 2NO (g) + I2 (aq) + 6H2O (l)
3. Tube III : added by KMnO4 becomes dissolved, solution become purple color
5NO2- (aq) + 2MnO4- (aq) + 6H+ (aq) 5NO3- (aq) + 2Mn2+ (aq) + 3H2O (l)
F. Discussion
1.Redox Reaction of Nitric Acid with Salt Nitrate
Experiment 1: The reaction of nitric acid with copper
This experiment have purpose to identify and understand the redox reaction occurs
between the concentrated nitric acid with dilute nitric acid when reacted with copper metal.
The first experiment is made by reacting copper metal with concentrated nitric acid in a fume

hood. After coupled with concentrated nitric acid solution changes to blue-green, a lot of
bubbles, change litmus blue to red, appear yellowish brown vapor, the reaction goes faster
and Cu completely reacted with concentrated nitric acid. The reaction:
4HNO3 (l) + Cu (s) NO2 (s) + Cu2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq)
0

+
5

-1
(reduksi)

+
4

+
2

+2
(oksidasi)

In a nuclear reaction, copper undergo oxidation of Cu into Cu 2+ with increase in oxidation

state from 0 to +2, with Cu thus acts as a reducing agent for nitric acid. While nitrogen is
reduced by a decrease in oxidation of +4 +5 be, where HNO3 acts as an oxidant agent.
When the experiment, the copper dissolves quickly. This is because the concentration of
nitric acid used is concentrated nitric acid. According to Day and Underwood (1988) the
higher the concentration of reagents used, the faster the reaction runs. Bubble that arises is
NO2 gas. The color changes from clear to blue-green (blue) due to the presence of Cu 2+
ions in solution.
Subsequent experiments are reacting dilute nitric acid with copper metal. The results
obtained are slowly soluble copper metal. Originally it had a colorless color then changed to
light blue. The reactions that occur :
8HNO3(aq) + 3Cu (s) 3Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NO (g) + 4H2O (l)
0

+
5

+2
(oksidasi)

+
2

+
2
-3
(reduksi)

In this reaction, copper undergo oxidation of Cu into Cu 2+ with an increase in oxidation from
0 to +2, so Cu acts as a reducing agent for nitric acid. While nitrogen is reduced by a
decrease in the number okidasi of +5 becomes +2. When the experiment is done, the
copper dissolves slowly, not as fast as when reacted with concentrated nitric acid, but Cu
stays completely reacted. It changes blue litmus become red color. Gas bubbles formed is
NO gas (Sugiyarto, 2004). NO gas causes the brown color in the test tube. Actually NO
colorless gas, but this gas is very easily oxidized by air and the result of the reaction is
brown NO2 gas with the following reaction:
2NO(g) + O2(g) 2NO2(g)

Experiment 2. Heating Nitrate salts

This experiment aims to identify and understand the redox reaction that occurs when nitrate
salts are heated. Nitrate salts used in this experiment are KNO3 and Cu (NO3) 2. The first
experiments that heating the solid KNO 3 1/4 spatula white in a test tube. The results
obtained after heating that is solid melts KNO3 colored translucent and gas arises, do not
change the color of litmus blue and cold when the precipitate is formed. The reactions that
occur :
2KNO3(s) 2KNO2(s) + O2(g)
+
5

+
3

-2
(reduksi)

In this reaction, nitrogen experienced a reduction of NO3- into NO2- with a reduced oxidation
state of +5 to +3.
When heating potassium nitrate salt, gas bubbles are formed which are marked dengann the
outbreak. Based on the above reaction, a gas formed is oxygen gas. To test for the presence
of oxygen gas used litmus paper. Blue litmus paper will remain blue. This indicates that gas
is alkaline. This situation is in accordance with the literature that says that the oxygen gas is
gas that is alkaline.
Further heating the salt of copper (II) nitrate. Blue salt is placed in a test tube as much as
spatula, then reheated. CuNO3 salt melts when heated and produce gas. According to the
reaction:
Cu(NO3)2 (s) Cu(NO2)2

(s)

+
5

+ NO2 (g)
+
4

-1
(reduksi)

In the reaction of the nitrogen nucleus undergo reduction reaction of NO3 to NO2 by the
decrease in oxidation of +5 becomes +4
When heating a salt of copper (II) nitrate, are formed gas bubbles are characterized by
outbreaks. Based on the above reaction, a gas is formed oxygen gas and nitrogen dioxide
gas. To test for the presence of gases used litmus paper blue, and the color turns litmus
paper turns red. This indicates that the gas mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gases are acidic.
From the literature, are acidic while nitrogen gas O2 gas is alkaline. So that the mixture of
gases can redden blue litmus. The heating function is to accelerate the reaction.
Experiment 3: Reduction of Nitrate in Solution Bases
This experiment aims to identify and understand the reaction of nitrate reduction in alkaline
solution. Plus nitric acid with sodium hydroxide is then added with a piece of aluminum
metal. At first, the solution is clear and colorless after heating the colors remain clear. But
before there was heated bubbles, while there are many bubbles after heating. The gas
formed in this reaction does not change the color of litmus paper blue. The gas formed is
NH3 gas, is a gas that is alkaline. As well as pieces of metal sunk. The reaction occurs:
3NO3- (aq) + 8Al (s) + 5OH-(aq) + 18H2O (aq) NH3 (aq) + 8[Al(OH)4]+
5

-3
-8
(reduksi)

+3
(oksidasi)

+
3

In the reaction of the nitrogen nucleus undergo a reduction reaction with a reduced oxidation
state of +5 becomes -3. In other words HNO3 acts as an oxidant for aluminum, while
aluminum oxidizes with the increase in oxidation state from 0 to +3.

The experiments were performed with aluminum will not react directly with a mixture of nitric
acid and sodium hiroksida. But when heated gas bubbles appear, it indicates that the
warming speed the reaction. Based on the above reaction, ammonia gas is formed. To prove
the existence of the gas tested using litmus blue, and it does not change color litmus. This
represents an alkaline NH3 gas.
2. Nitric Acid Redox Reactions
Experiment 4: Formation and Nitric Acid Redox Reactions
This experiment aims to identify and understand the redox reaction of nitric acid as
well as studying the process of forming nitric acid. Nitric acid production performed by
reacting sulfuric acid with sodium nitrate.
Before reacted with NaNO3, dilute H2SO4 cooled for 5 minutes with the aim of tapping the
course of the reaction rate. So that the gas formed on decomposition NaNO3 bit. Day and
Underwood (1988) states that the cooling process will slow solubility. Results after the color
of the cooled clear solution. The reaction occurs:
H2SO4 (aq) + NaNO3 (s) NaHSO4 (aq) + HNO2 (aq) + 1/2 O2 (g)
If the sulfuric acid is not cooled first, it will produce nitric acid slightly but will form a more
stable nitric acid. Because the solution of nitric acid decomposes thermally reversible
manner and this reaction is disproportionate reaction. The reaction occurs:
3 HNO2 (aq) H3O+ (aq) + NO3- (aq) + 2NO(g)
When sodium nitrate entered in dilute sulfuric acid which has been cooled, the salt dissolves
and the color of the solution remains clear. The compound formed is nitrous acid. The next
solution was divided into 3 parts in a test tube :
a. Tube 1: Heating HNO2 solution
When the solution is heated, gas bubbles are formed. reactions:
3 HNO2 (aq) HNO3 (aq) + 2NO (g) + H2O (l)
+
3

+2
(oksidasi)

+
+
5-1 (reduksi)
2

The reaction is a disproportionation reaction, where nitrogen undergo oxidation reaction of

HNO2 into HNO3 with the increase in oxidation state of +3 +5 menjai and experienced a
reduction of HNO2 to NO with a reduced oxidation state of +3 becomes +2.
As the experiment progresses to form gas bubbles. This gas is NO gas is colorless.
However, when oxidized with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide gas, which are brown.
b. Tube 2: HNO2 solution was added KI
When coupled KI solution became clear yellow. Reaction :
2NO2- (aq) + 2I- (aq) + 4H3O+(aq) 2NO (g) + I2 (aq) + 6H2O (l)
+
3

-1
-1
(reduksi)

+
2

+1
(oksidasi)

In this reaction, nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in the oxidation state of +3 becomes +2.
While oxidizes iodide to increase in oxidation state of -1 to 0 (KI as a reducing agent). The
gas formed in this reaction is NO gas is colorless.
c. Tubes 3: HNO2 solution was added KMnO4
HNO2 solution plus KMnO4 produce a purple solution (In acidic conditions). Reaction :
5NO2- (aq) + 2MnO4- (aq) + 6H+ 5KNO3 + 2Mn2+ +3H2O
+
3

+
7

+2
(oksidasi)

+
5

+
2

-5
(reduksi)

In this reaction nitrogen oxidised with an increase in oxidation of +3 to +5 (nitric acid as a

reducing agent). While Mn is reduced by a decrease in the oxidation state of +7 be +2 (ion
permanganate as an oxidant)
G. Conclusion
a) Redox reaction of nitric acid with copper
Cu in HNO3 pa: nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in oxidation of +4 +5 be
Cu in dilute HNO3: nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in the oxidation state of +5 be
+2
b) Heating Salt Nitrate
Heating KNO3: nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in the oxidation state of +5 to +3
Heating Cu (NO3) 2: nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in oxidation becomes +4 +5
c) Nitrate reduction in alkaline solution
Aluminium in nitric acid and sodium hydroxide: nitrogen decreased the oxidation
state of +5 becomes -3
d) Redox reaction of nitric acid
Heating nitric acid: nitrogen oxidised with an increase in oxidation of +3 to +5
HNO2 added by KI: nitrogen is reduced by a decrease in the oxidation state of +3 be
+2
HNO2 added by KMnO4: nitrogen oxidised with an increase in oxidation of +3 to +5
Based on experiments that have been carried out, nitrogen has a variety of oxidation states,
ie -3, +2, +3, +4, and +5. Nitrogen can act as an oxidant, reductant or both. Nitrogen is an
element that is highly reactive so that it can form a variety of compounds such as HNO2,
HNO3, NO2, NO3, NH3, and etc.
H. Suggestion
1. Practician study about the procedure of experiment before doing the experiment
2. Practitician carefull in using the equipmet and reagent of the experiment
3. The tools that will used should be sterilized beforehand
4. Practician should be carefull when doing the observatio of the experiment
5. Practitician should work closely with members of the group
I.

Refference

Achmad, Hiskia. 1992. Penuntun Belajar Kimia Dasar, Kimia Unsur Petrokimia. Bandung:
PT. Citra Aditya Bakti.
Day, R A., Jr. Dan A.L Underwood. 1988. Analisa Kimia Kuantitatif. Edisi keempat.
Terjemahan R. Soendoro. Jakarta : Erlangga
Ranawijaya,J. 1985. Ilmu Kimia 2. Jakarta : Depdikbud
Sugiyarto, Kristian H. 2004. Kimia Anorganik I. Yogyakarta : Penerbit UNY
Tim Dosen Kimia Anorganik. 2015. Petunjuk Praktikum Kimia Anorganik. Semarang:
Unnes.
Tim Kimia Anorganik (I). 2014. Penuntun Praktikum Kimia Anorganik 1. Padang: UNP.