[Douglas]

My textbooks and a scouring of Google and these forums all mention the powerful oxidizing potential of nitric acid. However, none (that I can find) make mention as to why it is such a powerful oxidizer.

Now, I know HCl is not considered an oxidizer, and since both of these acids are monoprotic, it tells me that the oxidizing "part" in the nitrate anion. Does it have to do with the ease with which nitrate compounds dissolve in water?

[AWK]

"Oxidation power" is an intrinsic property of molecule and conditions of the reaction in which it take part. It can be measured (thought in a very artifitial manner) by the normal potentials.

[puppy8800]

the potential of NO₃^- turning NO in acid solutions is only 0.957V, which becomes much lower in alkali solutions
The strong oxidizing power of nitric acid is considered to be the result of high concentration and intermediates like NO⁺ and NO₂⁺ which are strong oxidizing agents.

[Douglas]

Ah, that make sense with NO⁺ and NO₂. For conc. nitric acid, is there a known equilibrium for these intermediates? (I'm assuming these intermediates exist in conc. solⁿ.)

[lutesium]

I think that because of the negative charge of the O at the nitric acid molecule which makes it able to share its one free electron more easier!!!


Lutesium...

[macman104]

I think that because of the negative charge of the O at the nitric acid molecule which makes it able to share its one free electron more easier!!!

Excl!amati!on points do! not m!ake you!r state!ment!! more correct!!!!