Dinitrogen tetroxide
Names | |
---|---|
IUPAC name
Dinitrogen tetraoxide
| |
Other names
Dinitrogen tetraoxide
Nitrogen tetraoxide Nitrogen tetroxide | |
Properties | |
N2O4 | |
Molar mass | 92.011 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless liquid/Orange gas |
Odor | Suffocating, unpleasant |
Density | 1.44246 g/cm3 (liquid, 21 °C) |
Melting point | −11.2 °C (11.8 °F; 261.9 K) (decomposes to NO2) |
Boiling point | 21.69 °C (71.04 °F; 294.84 K) |
Reacts | |
Vapor pressure | 96 kPa (20 °C) |
Thermochemistry | |
Std molar
entropy (S |
304.29 J·K−1·mol−1 |
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH |
9.16 kJ/mol |
Hazards | |
Safety data sheet | SolGroup |
Flash point | Non-flammable |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds
|
Nitrous oxide Nitric oxide Dinitrogen trioxide Nitrogen dioxide Dinitrogen pentoxide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Dinitrogen tetroxide is the chemical compound N2O4. It is a useful reagent in chemical synthesis. It forms an equilibrium mixture with nitrogen dioxide.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Dinitrogen tetroxide exists in equilibrium with nitrogen dioxide:
- N2O4 ⇌ 2 NO2
Higher temperatures push the equilibrium towards nitrogen dioxide.
Physical
Dinitrogen teroxide is a colorless liquid, sometimes reddish-brown, which reacts violently with water. It has an acrid unpleasant odor, reminiscent of car smog.
Unlike NO2, N2O4 is diamagnetic since it has no unpaired electrons.
Availability
Dinitrogen tetraoxide is available as liquid, but only for industrial entities.
Preparation
Condensation of nitrogen dioxide at low temperatures will yield dinitrogen tetraoxide. The process is reversible.
Projects
- Make nitrogen dioxide
- Make anhydrous nitrate salts
Handling
Safety
Dinitrogen tetroxide is highly corrosive and toxic. Contact with certain chemicals, like hydrazine will result in ignition.
Storage
At low temperatures. Do not store it for long.
Disposal
Can be neutralized by slowly dissolving it in a large volume of water, followed by neutralization with a base.