9 HNO3 + 8 Fe → 3 H2O + NH3 + 8 FeNO3
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
NV + 8 e- → N-III (reduction)
8 NV + 16 e- → 8 NIII (reduction)
8 Fe0 - 24 e- → 8 FeIII (oxidation)
HNO3 is an oxidizing agent, HNO3 is an oxidizing agent, Fe is a reducing agent.
Reactants:
- 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
- Fe
Products:
- H2O – Water, oxidane
- 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.]
- Names: Ammonia
- FeNO3