Pb3O4 + 4 HNO3 → 2 Pb(NO3)2 + PbO2 + 2 H2O
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
2 Pb8/3 + 4/3 e- → 2 PbII (reduction)
Pb8/3 - 4/3 e- → PbIV (oxidation)
Pb3O4 is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).
Reactants:
- Pb3O4 – Lead tetroxide
- 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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