2 HCl (aq) + 2 HNO3 (aq) + Cu (s) → 2 H2O (l) + 2 NO2 (l) + CuCl2 (aq)
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:
- 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.]
- 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.]
- Cu
Products:
- H2O – Water, oxidane
- 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.]
- CuCl2