7 H2O + 4 HNO3 + 3 P2O3 → 4 NO + 6 H3PO4
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
6 PIII - 12 e- → 6 PV (oxidation)
4 NV + 12 e- → 4 NII (reduction)
P2O3 is a reducing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent.
Reactants:
- H2O – Water, oxidane
- 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.]
- P2O3
Products: