Dissolution Of Silver Oxalate With Nitric Acid

When silver oxalate is dissolved with nitric acid, a chemical reaction occurs. The balanced equation for this reaction is:

Ag2C2O4 (s) + 4HNO3 (aq) → 2AgNO3 (aq) + 2CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l) + 2NO2 (g)

In this reaction, the silver oxalate (Ag2C2O4) reacts with the nitric acid (HNO3) to form silver nitrate (AgNO3), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The reaction occurs because the nitric acid acts as an oxidizing agent, causing the silver ion in the silver oxalate to be reduced to elemental silver. The oxalate ion is also oxidized to carbon dioxide and water.

The nitrogen dioxide gas that is produced in the reaction is a brownish-red color and has a pungent odor. It is toxic and can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to carry out this reaction in a well-ventilated area.

Overall, the dissolution of silver oxalate with nitric acid is a redox reaction that produces several products, including silver nitrate, carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen dioxide.