When concentrated nitric acid () is dehydrated using phosphorus pentoxide (), it yields an oxide of — p Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
When concentrated nitric acid ($HNO_3$) is dehydrated using phosphorus pentoxide ($P_4O_{10}$), it yields an oxide of nitrogen ($X$). What is the true nature of compound $X$?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
Dehydration of $HNO_3$ by $P_4O_{10}$ produces dinitrogen pentoxide ($N_2O_5$), which is the acidic anhydride of nitric acid. Its structure is $O_2N-O-NO_2$, meaning it features an $N-O-N$ linkage rather than a direct $N-N$ bond.
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