4 Cu2O + 18 HNO3 → N2O + 8 Cu(NO3)2 + 9 H2O
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
8 CuI - 8 e- → 8 CuII (oxidation)
2 NV + 8 e- → 2 NI (reduction)
Cu2O is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- Cu2O – Copper(I) oxide
- 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.]
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