6 Cu2S + 38 HNO3 → 3 Cu(HSO4)2 + 9 Cu(NO3)2 + 20 NO + 16 H2O
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
12 CuI - 12 e- → 12 CuII (oxidation)
6 S-II - 48 e- → 6 SVI (oxidation)
20 NV + 60 e- → 20 NII (reduction)
Cu2S is a reducing agent, Cu2S is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Cu2S – Copper(I) Sulphide
- 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.]
Products: