Hi,
does anyone know what co-existing, heavy acids in relatively high concentrations can cause?
we have HCl, HNO3, HF and H2O2.
Can anyone give any reactions between any of the above acids?
If they do indeed react, do they react in an explosive manner? Are they exotherm reactions?
Thanks a lot!
Cheers,
Nick.
Hazards by co-existing acids
Moderators: Xen, expert, ChenBeier
Concentrated nitric acid and/or peroxide will oxidize hydrochloric acid to form chlorine gas, which is definitely undesirable. This won't happen unless they are mixed, however.
Aesthetically, concentrated hydrochloric acid will cloud up any surface around it with an opaque dust, which is why I store mine in a bag far away from my glassware and other reagents.
Hydrofluoric acid is all around hazardous even though it will not react with the other acids significantly. I would recommend reading the MSDS thoroughly and heeding its advice.
Concentrated peroxide, by itself, presents an explosion hazard if concentrated enough (over 50%). It tends to decompose into oxygen gas and water, building up pressure in its container. If the bottle isn't opaque, keep it away from light to slow the decomposition. Keep this away from transition metals; this could be a disaster. I've never had any trouble with peroxide myself, but you can tell the pressure builds up in containers that haven't been opened in a long time.
Keep all of these substances away from metals, especially the oxidizing nitric acid and the peroxide.
Mixing nitric and hydrochloric acid can produce nitrosyl chloride, a relatively toxic gas. This will not happen if they are merely stored together, however.
Here are the reactions :
You're fine if they aren't being mixed, no potential for explosions here.
Aesthetically, concentrated hydrochloric acid will cloud up any surface around it with an opaque dust, which is why I store mine in a bag far away from my glassware and other reagents.
Hydrofluoric acid is all around hazardous even though it will not react with the other acids significantly. I would recommend reading the MSDS thoroughly and heeding its advice.
Concentrated peroxide, by itself, presents an explosion hazard if concentrated enough (over 50%). It tends to decompose into oxygen gas and water, building up pressure in its container. If the bottle isn't opaque, keep it away from light to slow the decomposition. Keep this away from transition metals; this could be a disaster. I've never had any trouble with peroxide myself, but you can tell the pressure builds up in containers that haven't been opened in a long time.
Keep all of these substances away from metals, especially the oxidizing nitric acid and the peroxide.
Mixing nitric and hydrochloric acid can produce nitrosyl chloride, a relatively toxic gas. This will not happen if they are merely stored together, however.
Here are the reactions :
Code: Select all
HNO3 (aq) + 3 HCl (aq) => NOCl (g) + Cl2 (g) + 2 H2O (l)
2 H2O2 => 2 H2O + O2
HF + person => bad newsYou're fine if they aren't being mixed, no potential for explosions here.