4 Mg + 9 KNO3 + 6 H2O → 4 Mg(NO3)2 + NH3 + 9 KOH
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
4 Mg0 - 8 e- → 4 MgII (oxidation)
NV + 8 e- → N-III (reduction)
Mg is a reducing agent, KNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
Products:
- Mg(NO3)2 – Magnesium nitrate
- NH3
- Names: Ammonia , Azane (only intended for use in naming derivatives of ammonia) , Hydrogen nitride
- Appearance: Colourless gas ; Colourless gas or compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour ; Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Easily liquefied under pressure.]
- KOH – Potassium hydroxide