[mewrox99]

What is the mechanism for the water activated reaction between Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Chloride and Zinc

Could anyone tell me the products. I assume some kind of flammable gases come off, as it produces alot of fire

[BluRay]

What is the mechanism for the water activated reaction between Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Chloride and Zinc

Could anyone tell me the products. I assume some kind of flammable gases come off, as it produces alot of fire

Both ammonium salts are slightly acid, in water solution; then NO₃^-, in acidic solution, oxidates Zn:

NO₃^- + 4Zn + 10H⁺ --> 4Zn²⁺ + NH₄⁺ + 3H₂O

(Zn would be attacked even without nitrates ions, in acidic solution).

The above reaction is exothermic, so at a certain point it starts the one between solid Zn and NH₄NO₃ without water:

NH₄NO₃ + Zn --> ZnO + 2H₂O + N₂

and the last one is higly exothermic and responsible for the flames and the fumes (the fumes are essentially ZnO).