Consider the balanced chemical equation for the generation of the nitronium ion () from concentrated — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
Consider the balanced chemical equation for the generation of the nitronium ion ($NO_2^+$) from concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid: $x HNO_3 + y H_2SO_4 \rightleftharpoons z NO_2^+ + p H_3O^+ + q HSO_4^-$. What is the sum of the stoichiometric coefficients $(x + y)$?
Answer: 3
💡 Solution & Explanation
In the nitrating mixture, two moles of sulfuric acid are required to completely generate one mole of nitronium ion and one mole of hydronium ion. The balanced equation is $1 HNO_3 + 2 H_2SO_4 \rightleftharpoons 1 NO_2^+ + 1 H_3O^+ + 2 HSO_4^-$. Therefore, $x=1$ and $y=2$, making the sum $3$.
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