N2 + 3H2 = 2NH3 – 92kJ

Formation of Hydrogen:

1. In lab: Acid + Metal = Salt

2. Cracking hydrocarbons; Breaking down hydrocarbons under heat, with the use of catalyst results
in a smaller hydrocarbon and hydrogen being produced.
C2H6 = C2H4 + H2
(ethane = ethylene + hydrogen)
3. Steam reformation: Methane reacts with water to from Hydrogen and Carbon dioxide. Natural
gas main source (rich in methane).
CH4 + H20 = CO2 + 3H2

Oxides of Nitrogen

1. N02 (Nitrogen Dioxide) = brown toxic gas, acidic oxide

2. NO (Nitrogen monoxide / Nitric Acid) = Colorless gas, acidic oxide
3. N20 (Nitrous oxide) = Neutral hence used as an anesthetic / laughing gas – does not interfere with
bodies ph level

 Nitrogen unreactive? Group 5 hence shares 3 covalent bonds, triple covalent bonds take
substantial amount of energy to break down
Ideal conditions for best yield of ammonia vs what actually happens and why
1. Low temperature – system opposes the change by increasing the temperature, forward reaction is
favored hence more product formed.
In reality – high temp? – increase the rate of reaction
2. High pressure (400 atm) – favors side with lesser moles of gas – more ammonia produced
Irl – pressure is 200-300 atm – why? A lot of energy required otherwise, Costly, better equipment
needed
3. Iron added as a catalyst – increases the rate of reaction, no effect on the yield or position of
equilibrium.
Properties of ammonia

 Light molecular mass – upward delivery

 Pungent smell (strong + choking)
 Soluble in water hence can’t be collected over water – NH3 + H20 = NH4 ^+1 + OH^-1
 Important Reactions:
1. Neutralization reaction: NH3 + H2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4
Ammonia + sulfuric acid = Ammonium sulfate
2. Ammonium Salt and Base :
  Ammonium salt + Alkali/base = Salt +Water + Ammonia
 Also can be used to produce ammonia (on a small scale)
 Not a neutralization reaction

Production of Ammonia
After Hydrogen from cracking of methane/steam reformation) and nitrogen from liquid air by fractional
distillation are both obtained:
1. Nitrogen and Hydrogen are mixed in proportion 1:3.
2. Compressor the mixture of gases is compressed to a pressure of 200 – 300 atm
3. Convertor the gases are passed over finely grounded iron which acts as a catalyst to speed up the
reaction the temperature here is around 450 C.
4. Mixture of ammonia and leftover unreacted H2 and N2 gases leaves the converter (reversible
reaction- reactants and products have ability to coexist). Only 15 % of ammonia is produced.
5. Condenser – The mixture is cooled and liquid ammonia is formed.
6. Unreacted H2 and N2 are pumped back – recycled – for next reaction.
Nitrogenous Fertilizers

 Nitrogen’s uses in plants: Major component of chlorophyll- trap sunlight

Major component of amino acids – used to make proteins
 Plants cannot obtain Nitrogen from air but can absorb from soil – hence fertilizers needed
 Organic Fertilizers: Dung
 Advantages: cheaper
 Disadvantages: take time to decay (hence more time to release nitrogen) , bulky
 Chemical fertilizers: Ammonium compounds and metal nitrates
 Advantage: faster, spread on field easily, easy to store
 Disadvantage: expensive
Eutrophication

 Washed of nitrates and phosphates

 Nutrients for algae which feed on them
 Algae form a layer on top of water – blanket of algae
 Sunlight blocked, air blocked
 Decay organisms take in O2
 Ecosystem affected
How does the high solubility of nitrates increase these problems?
Excessive amounts of fertilizer spread before rain, rain = dissolved nitrates washed out into rivers.
Calcium Hydroxide and soil

 Calcium hydroxide/Slaked lime is used to decrease the acidity of soil

 It should not be added when a fertilizer is added near
 Calcium hydroxide would react with the ammonium salt to make ammonia, salt and water
  Loss of nitrogen from soil – lesser availability to plants

CONTACT PROCESS

Production of Oxygen in Lab:

2 H202 = 2 H20 + 02
Hydrogen Peroxide = water + oxygen
Catalyst: Manganese (IV) Oxide MnO2
Sulfuric acid production – 2 ways
Method number 1 – not for industrial production
1. Sulfuric acid is produced.
S + O2 = SO2
 Colorless gas
 Unpleasant smell
 Soluble in water – dissolves moisture around mouth or nose causing irritation
 Sulfur dioxide and water form sulfurous acid H2SO3
2. Sulfur trioxide produced
2SO2 + O2 = 2SO3
Reversible reaction: forward is exo
Ideal conditions for maximum yield:
Low temp – favors forward reaction
High pressure – favors side with less moles
Both opposite in real life: High temp increases rate of reaction and low pressure due to cost
efficiency
 Catalyst of vanadium (V) oxide V2O5
3. Water added to sulfur trioxide
SO3 + H2O = H2S04
Not suitable for industrial prep of sulfuric acid because it produces a stable mist of sulfuric acid which
cannot be condensed.
Method number 2 – for industrial production
1. Sulfur dioxide production
2. Sulfur trioxide production
3. Oleum: Sulfuric acid + Sulfur trioxide = Oleum
H2SO4 + SO3 = H2S07
4. Oleum + water
H2SO7 + H20 = 2H2S04
Uses of Sulfur Dioxide
1. Bleach – dissolves in water to form sulfurous acid
 2. Manufacture of wood pulp for paper
3. Germicide and disinfectant – used in preservation of food
Use of sulfuric acid
1. Detergents – H2S04 and phosphate rocks react to form polyphosphates. These are used in
detergents. Excessive use of these detergents can lead to eutrophication.
2. Fertilizers – Ammonium sulfate
3. Electrolytes/Acids in batteries
4. Drying agent – removing excess moisture
5. Dehydrating agent-removing water chemically bonded