Why is nitric acid added to sodium extract before adding silver nitrate for testing halogens?
Why is nitric acid added to sodium extract before adding silver nitrate for testing halogens?
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Sodium extract is boiled with nitric acid to decompose NaCN and Na2S, if present, otherwise these
NaCN + HNO3 NaNO3 + HCN
Na2S + 2HNO3 2NaNO3 + H2S
Will react with AgNO3 and hence will interfere with test as shown below:
NaCN + AgNO3 AgCN + NaNO3
Na2S + 2AgNO3 Ag2S + 2NaNO3
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