Cu (s) + 2 HNO3 (aq) + 2 HCl (aq) → CuCl2 (aq) + 2 NO2 (l) + 2 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
Cu0 - 2 e- → CuII (oxidation)
2 NV + 2 e- → 2 NIV (reduction)
Cu is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- 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.]
- Other names: Aqua fortis
- HCl – Chlorane
, Hydrogen chloride
- Other names: Hydrochloric acid
, M
, Uriatic acid
- Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid, fumes in air if concentrated
; Colorless gas
; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour
; Colorless to slightly yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]
- Other names: Hydrochloric acid
Products:
- CuCl2
- NO2 – Nitrogen dioxide
- Other names: Nitrogen(IV) oxide
, Deutoxide of nitrogen
, Nitrogen peroxide
- Appearance: Brown gas
; Reddish-brown gas or brown or yellow liquid with pungent odour
; Yellowish-brown liquid or reddish-brown gas (above 70°F) with a pungent, acrid odor. [Note: In solid form (below 15°F) it is found structurally as N2O4.]
- Other names: Nitrogen(IV) oxide
- H2O – Water, oxidane