Abstract
As the result of work on the optical absorption and electrical conductivity of mixtures of nitric and sulphuric acids, and on the depression of the freezing point of sulphuric acid by added nitric acid, Hantzsch concluded that in such solutions nitric acid is largely converted into two cations, H2NO3+ and H3NO3++, the latter being the principal form present in excess of sulphuric acid1. The optical and electrical work showed essentially that the nitric acid is converted into an altered form, and that this consists of or contains ions. The cryoscopic work furnished a specific argument in favour of the bivalent ion. For the univalent ion corresponds to a two-fold, and the bivalent ion to a three-fold, depression by nitric acid of the freezing point of the sulphuric acid solvent: the van't Hoff i-factors would be as shown. Experimentally, Hantzsch found a three-fold depression (i = 3): The remaining evidence of a specific nature consists in Hantzsch's claim to have isolated crystalline perchlorates corresponding to each of his ions, namely, the salts (H2NO3+) (ClO4â) and (H3NO3++) (ClO4â)2 (cf. the following note).
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Numerous papers, (1907–32).
Anal. Fis. Quim., 32, 474 (1934).
J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 55, 1900 (1933); 59, 1708 (1937).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GILLESPIE, R., GRAHAM, J., HUGHES, E. et al. Cryoscopic Proof of the Formation of Nitronium Ion. Nature 158, 480 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/158480a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/158480a0
This article is cited by
-
Kinetic and mechanistic study of micellar effects in ammonium metavanadate/NaNO2-triggered nitration of phenols in aqueous bisulfate and acetonitrile medium
Research on Chemical Intermediates (2018)
-
Ultra-violet Absorption Spectrum of Anhydrous Nitric Acid
Nature (1947)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.