Question

5. The Latimer diagram for nitrogen in acidic solutions is shown below:

 +5         +4       +3       +2       +1      0       -1        -2      -3 
     0.80      1.07      1.00     1.59    1.77   -1.87      1.41     1.28
 NO3-   ?   N2O4  ?  HNO2  ?   NO   ?   N2O  ?  N2  ?  NH3OH+  ?  N2H5+ ?  NH4+

(a) Write a balanced half reaction for reduction of NO to NH₄⁺ in acid.

(b) What is the value of E^o for the half reaction in part (a)?

(c) Is this half reaction more thermodynamically favorable in acid or in base? Explain.

(d) All the nitrogen-containing molecules and ions listed above are kinetically stable, but only three are thermodynamically stable with respect to disproportionation in acid. Which ones are they?

Answer 1