1.

Which fo the following will release a gaseous product from `Pb_3O_4 `?A. `HCl`B. `HNO_3`C. Bitg (1) and (2)D. Neither (1) nor (2)

Answer» Correct Answer - A
` Pb_3O_4 + 8 HCl rarr 3 PbCl_2+ Cl_(2) +4 H_2O`
`Pb_3O_4` is actually a stoichiometric mixture fo 2 mol fo `PbO` and ` 1 ` mol of ` PbO_2`. In `PbO_2`, lead is present in ` +4` oxidation state (an unstable state) while in ` PbO`, lead is present in state (an unstable state) while in `PbO`, lead is present in `+2` oxidation state (a stable state). Since lead hds a strong tendency to change from ` +4` state to` +2` state,`PbO_(2)` can act as an oxidizing agent (oxidant). Therefore, it oxidizes `Cl^(-)` ion fo ` HCl` into chlorine. On the other hand, `PbO` is a basic oxide. Therefore, it can react with hydrochloric acid `(HCl)` to form salt `(PbCl_2)` and water. Hence, the above reaction can be split into two reactions namely :
(a) Redox reaction
`overset(+4)(Pb) O_(2)+4Hoverset(-1)(Cl) rarr overset(+2)(Pb)Cl_(2)+overset(0)(C)l_(2)+2H_(2)O`
(b) Acid-base reaction
`2PbO + 4HCl rarr 2PbCl_2 +2H_2O`
Since ` HNO_3` ( N is present in the highest oxidation state, +5) itself is an oxidizing agent, there is no reaction between ` PbO_2` and ` HNO_3`, However, an acid-base reaction takes place between ` PbO` and ` HNO_3` :
` 2PbO+4HNO_3 rarr 2Pb (NO_3)_2 +2 H_2O`
Thus, it is the passive nature of `PbO_2` against ` HNO_3` that makes the reaction different from the one that follows with ` HCl`.


Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions