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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: kemia_magyar on October 01, 2023, 03:01:35 AM

Title: Is there a way to test old NaNO2?
Post by: kemia_magyar on October 01, 2023, 03:01:35 AM

As the subject goes, can you test old NaNO₂ to check if it oxidized to NaNO₃? How would you go about it?

Title: Re: Is there a way to test old NaNO2?
Post by: Borek on October 01, 2023, 03:21:51 AM

Testing for NO₃^- is not easy in general, but you should be able to find a method for NO₂^-, and compare result with the expected, stoichiometric value.

This is not very accurate if the amount of NO₃^- present is very small, but still can give you a rough idea of what the situation is.

Title: Re: Is there a way to test old NaNO2?
Post by: Babcock_Hall on October 06, 2023, 11:05:08 AM

The Griess test is positive (gives a color change) in the presence of nitrite ions.  However, you might need a quantitative version of this test, and I am only familiar with qualitative versions.  As an aside, the modified Griess test is a presumptive test for some explosives.