How is nitrogen prepared in the laboratory? Write the chemical equations of the reactions involved.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Nitrogen is prepared in the laboratory by heating aqueous ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) with sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) to form ammonium nitrite (NH₄NO₂), which is unstable. Ammonium nitrite breaks down to form nitrogen and water.

NH₄Cl(aq) + NaNO₂(aq) NH₄NO₂ + NaCl(aq)

NH₄NO₂N₂(g)+ H₂O(l)

Small amounts of NO and HNO₃ are also produced which can be removed by passing nitrogen gas through aqueous sulphuric acid containing potassium dichromate.