6 KNO2 (aq) + 3 H2SO4 (aq) → 2 HNO3 (aq) + 4 NO (g) + 3 K2SO4 (aq) + 2 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
4 NIII + 4 e- → 4 NII (reduction)
2 NIII - 4 e- → 2 NV (oxidation)
KNO2 is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).
This is a gas evolution reaction, NO is the formed gas.
Reactants:
Products:
- 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.]
- NO – Nitrogen monoxide , Oxidonitrogen(•) (additive)
- K2SO4
- H2O – Water, oxidane