3 Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2 NO (g) + 4 H2O (l) → 3 Cu (s) + 8 HNO3 (aq)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
3 CuII + 6 e- → 3 Cu0 (reduction)
2 NII - 6 e- → 2 NV (oxidation)
Cu(NO3)2 is an oxidizing agent, NO is a reducing agent.
Reactants:
- Cu(NO3)2 – Copper(II) nitrate
- NO – Nitrogen monoxide , Oxidonitrogen(•) (additive)
- H2O – Water, oxidane
Products:
- Cu
- HNO3 – Nitric acid
- Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte
- Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]