Careers360 Logo
Nitrogen Dioxide - Preparation, Sources, Structure, Properties, Uses, FAQs

Nitrogen Dioxide - Preparation, Sources, Structure, Properties, Uses, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:53 PM IST

Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound and nitrogen oxide formula is represented by 1640003170111 as the name as well as formula define the name that one nitrogen is present ad two atoms of oxygen are present which are termed as dioxide where di corresponds to two and the name is known as nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide is also known by the name nitrogen (IV) oxide and Deutoxide of nitrogen where deuto also corresponds to two and oxide for oxygen atom. 1640003170028is said to be highly poisonous in nature and it is also known as the major pollutants present in atmosphere which absorb UV light i.e. ultra violet light and it helps them to stop to reach on the surface of the earth. 1640003170188 chemical name is nitrogen dioxide.

This Story also Contains
  1. Main Sources of Nitrogen Dioxide
  2. Preparation of Nitrogen Dioxide
  3. Uses of Nitrogen Dioxide
  4. Chemical properties of nitrogen dioxide:
  5. Adverse Effect of Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide represented by 1640003170283color is yellowish brown if present in liquid form and reddish brown in color if it forms in gaseous state. The one main advantage of nitrogen dioxide when it is present in vapor form is that it is heavier in its vapor dorm as compare to air.

1640003170364 structure

The structure of nitrogen dioxide can be represented as follows:

Nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is one of the known or main compounds of nitrogen atoms. Molecular weight or molar mass of nitrogen dioxide is given by 46.006 g/mol whose density is 1.880 1640003169550and boiling point or melting point of nitrogen dioxide is given as 1640003170929and 1640003170796respectively. It is paramagnetic in nature where paramagnetic are those compounds which have unpaired electrons and impart color in ultra violet region.

Also read -

Main Sources of Nitrogen Dioxide

The primary source of nitrogen dioxide is nitric oxide represented and nitric oxide formula is given by NO i.e. one nitrogen and one oxygen atom. Around 98% of nitric oxide is emitted by the process called combustion where combustion is defined as the process in which any substance get burned in the presence of oxygen and produce heat and light during this process other than this combustion nitrogen is also emitted in the form of nitrogen oxide which is said to be somewhat non-toxic in nature but when it reacts with oxygen present in atmosphere then it rapidly got converted into nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide is said to be very much dangerous for human and effect respiratory functions of humans which increase respiratory disease in humans and increase pollutants in air. Nitrogen dioxide is also said as a precursor which is used in the formation of nitrate aerosols and nitrosamines and the adverse effect of these compounds on health effects are in continual study. On the basis of this study its adverse effects on public health and welfare are discussed in which nitrogen oxides are known as the pollutants present in atmosphere and for these types of standards and regularly controls have been given by the U.S. c.

Preparation of Nitrogen Dioxide

The one of most basic source of nitrogen dioxide is by the oxidation process of nitric oxide and the reaction can be shown as:

1640003170997

Nitric oxide is prepared when nitrogen and oxygen combine with each other and the reaction for the preparation of nitric oxide can be represented as following manner:

1640003171060

In the laboratory, nitrogen dioxide is prepared in two steps and in the first step dehydration process is takes place in this process nitric acid gives nitric acid and dinitrogen pentaoxide and the reaction can be shown as:

1640003171130

After this dinitrogen pentaoxide goes through thermal decomposition which can be shown as:

1640003171405

Nitrogen dioxide also undergoes thermal decomposition through some metals and this can be represented by the following reaction:

1640003171339

Other method is reduction of concentrated nitric acid by introducing itself by metal and for this reaction can be shown as:

1640003182983

It can also be prepared by adding nitric acid with tin and the reaction can be shown as:

1640003183844

Also Read:

Background wave

Uses of Nitrogen Dioxide

There are various application of nitrogen dioxide which can be explained as follows:

1. One of the basic application of nitrogen dioxide is it is used as an intermediate while producing nitric acid.

2. It is used in the manufacturing of oxidized cellulose compound.

3. The main application of nitrogen dioxide is it is used as catalyst.’

4. It is also used as an intermediate for producing sulphuric acid.

5. Nitrogen dioxide is also used as an oxidizer in case of rocket fuels.

6. It can uses as a nitrating agent.

7. It can be also used for bleaching of flour.

8. It can also be used as an oxidizing agent.

9. Nitrogen dioxide is also used as explosive agent.

Chemical properties of nitrogen dioxide:

These properties can be explained as follows:

1. Thermal nature: Thermal nature of nitrogen dioxide is generally exists in equilibrium which produces dinitrogen tetroxide gas and the equilibrium constant for the reaction 1640003181912 can be shown as:

1640003183783.

2. Oxidizer: Nitrogen dioxide is act as a strong oxidizer due to the weakness of N-O bond.

3. Hydrolysis reaction: Hydrolysis reaction is the reaction of addition water molecules and the reaction can be shown as:

1640003183681

4. Nitrites formation: Nitrites are formed with the help of alkyl and metal iodide which can be represented as:

1640003183087

Another Reaction Can be Shown as:

1640003183616

5. At low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide it is negligible slow reaction.

Adverse Effect of Nitrogen Dioxide

There are many adverse effects of nitrogen dioxide on environment as well as on human beings this is noticed that nitrogen dioxide is of fatal nature. Nitrogen dioxide when comes in contact with eyes or skin it causes burning sensation. It forms frostbite when these are present in liquid form when nitrogen dioxide reacts with blood it forms methemoglobin. When nitrogen dioxide heat further it get decompose and release gas of nitric oxides which is toxic in nature. Nitrogen dioxide is also termed as irritated gas which cause inflammation at high concentration in airways.

Nitrogen dioxide mainly effects respiratory conditions and long term inhalation of nitrogen dioxide has many harmful effects on our health out of which some can be described as decrease the lung capacity, increase the possibility of respiratory diseases and also increase allergy from dust as it contains pollutants. It also produces small dust particles and ozone at ground level which put many adverse effect on our environment and also on our environment.

Also check-

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.
Download EBook

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does nitrogen oxide also effects global warming?

Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide both are known as the two most toxic and dangerous forms of nitrogen oxides. One of the most common form of oxides of nitrogen is nitrous oxide which is termed as laughing gas also known as greenhouse gas which helps in global warming.

2. NO chemical name is?

The chemical name of NO is nitric oxide where nitric corresponds to nitrogen atom and oxide represents single atom of oxygen.

3. List some daily life uses of nitrogen dioxide.

It is used as a catalyst in many chemical reactions, used as a fuel in rockets, used as an oxidizing agent and also for bleaching purposes.

4. How does nitrogen dioxide contribute to acid rain formation?
Nitrogen dioxide contributes to acid rain formation by reacting with water in the atmosphere to form nitric acid:
5. What role does nitrogen dioxide play in the formation of photochemical smog?
Nitrogen dioxide is a key component in photochemical smog formation. When exposed to sunlight, NO2 breaks down to form NO and atomic oxygen. The atomic oxygen then reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form ozone (O3), a major component of smog. This process, along with the presence of volatile organic compounds, contributes to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone and other pollutants in urban areas.
6. How does nitrogen dioxide affect human health?
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide can have several negative health effects:
7. What is nitrogen dioxide and why is it important to study?
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish-brown gas that plays a significant role in atmospheric chemistry and pollution. It's important to study because it's a major air pollutant, contributes to acid rain formation, and plays a role in the formation of photochemical smog. Understanding its properties and behavior helps in developing strategies to mitigate its environmental impact.
8. How is nitrogen dioxide detected and measured in the environment?
Nitrogen dioxide is detected and measured using various methods:
9. What is the molecular structure of nitrogen dioxide?
Nitrogen dioxide has a bent molecular structure with an N-O bond angle of about 134°. The nitrogen atom forms a double bond with one oxygen atom and a coordinate covalent bond with the other, resulting in a resonance structure. This structure gives NO2 its unique properties and reactivity.
10. Why does nitrogen dioxide exist as a dimer at low temperatures?
At low temperatures, nitrogen dioxide exists as a dimer (N2O4) due to intermolecular forces. The unpaired electron on the nitrogen atom allows two NO2 molecules to form a weak covalent bond, creating N2O4. This dimerization is reversible and temperature-dependent, with the equilibrium shifting towards NO2 as temperature increases.
11. How does the color of nitrogen dioxide change with temperature?
The color of nitrogen dioxide changes with temperature due to the equilibrium between NO2 and its dimer N2O4. At lower temperatures, the colorless N2O4 predominates, while at higher temperatures, the reddish-brown NO2 becomes more prevalent. This results in a gradual color change from pale yellow to deep reddish-brown as temperature increases.
12. What is the relationship between nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide?
Nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide (NO) are closely related and can interconvert in the atmosphere. This relationship is represented by the equilibrium:
13. Why is nitrogen dioxide considered a free radical?
Nitrogen dioxide is considered a free radical because it has an unpaired electron in its molecular structure. This unpaired electron makes NO2 highly reactive and able to participate in various chemical reactions, including the formation of other radicals in the atmosphere.
14. What are the main natural sources of nitrogen dioxide?
Natural sources of nitrogen dioxide include volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes, and bacterial action in soil. These processes contribute to the nitrogen cycle and maintain a natural background level of NO2 in the atmosphere.
15. How do human activities contribute to nitrogen dioxide emissions?
Human activities significantly increase NO2 emissions through:
16. What are the main challenges in reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions?
Reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions faces several challenges:
17. What role does nitrogen dioxide play in indoor air pollution?
Nitrogen dioxide can be a significant indoor air pollutant:
18. How is nitrogen dioxide prepared in the laboratory?
Nitrogen dioxide is commonly prepared in the laboratory by heating heavy metals like copper with concentrated nitric acid. The reaction can be represented as:
19. What is the oxidation state of nitrogen in nitrogen dioxide?
In nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the oxidation state of nitrogen is +4. This can be determined by considering that oxygen always has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds, and the overall charge of the molecule is neutral. Therefore, nitrogen must have an oxidation state of +4 to balance the -4 from the two oxygen atoms.
20. How does temperature affect the equilibrium between NO2 and N2O4?
The equilibrium between NO2 and N2O4 is temperature-dependent:
21. What are the main industrial uses of nitrogen dioxide?
Nitrogen dioxide has several industrial applications:
22. What is the role of nitrogen dioxide in the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen dioxide plays a role in the nitrogen cycle primarily through its contribution to the formation of nitric acid in the atmosphere. This process, known as atmospheric nitrogen fixation, helps transfer nitrogen from the air to the soil and water bodies. The nitric acid formed can then be deposited through precipitation, providing a source of nitrogen for plants and microorganisms.
23. What safety precautions should be taken when handling nitrogen dioxide?
Handling nitrogen dioxide requires strict safety measures:
24. What are the main differences between nitrogen dioxide and nitrous oxide?
Key differences between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) include:
25. How does the polarity of nitrogen dioxide affect its properties?
Nitrogen dioxide is a polar molecule due to its bent structure and the uneven distribution of electrons. This polarity affects its properties in several ways:
26. How does nitrogen dioxide behave as both an oxidizing and reducing agent?
Nitrogen dioxide can act as both an oxidizing and reducing agent due to the variable oxidation states of nitrogen:
27. What is the relationship between nitrogen dioxide and the ozone layer?
While nitrogen dioxide itself doesn't directly deplete the ozone layer, it plays a complex role in ozone chemistry:
28. How does the solubility of nitrogen dioxide in water compare to other gases?
Nitrogen dioxide is moderately soluble in water, more so than many non-polar gases but less than highly polar gases like ammonia. Its solubility is temperature-dependent and involves a chemical reaction:
29. How does nitrogen dioxide interact with other atmospheric pollutants?
Nitrogen dioxide interacts with other atmospheric pollutants in several ways:
30. How does the reactivity of nitrogen dioxide compare to that of oxygen?
Nitrogen dioxide is generally more reactive than oxygen due to several factors:
31. What is the impact of nitrogen dioxide on materials and infrastructure?
Nitrogen dioxide can have significant impacts on materials and infrastructure:
32. How does the bond order in nitrogen dioxide contribute to its properties?
The bond order in nitrogen dioxide is 1.5 due to resonance structures. This fractional bond order contributes to its properties in several ways:
33. How does nitrogen dioxide affect plant life?
Nitrogen dioxide can have both positive and negative effects on plant life:
34. How does the presence of nitrogen dioxide affect the formation of secondary organic aerosols?
Nitrogen dioxide plays a significant role in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs):
35. What is the significance of nitrogen dioxide in atmospheric night-time chemistry?
Nitrogen dioxide plays a unique role in night-time atmospheric chemistry:
36. How does the presence of nitrogen dioxide affect cloud formation and precipitation?
Nitrogen dioxide can influence cloud formation and precipitation in several ways:
37. What are the main spectroscopic methods used to study nitrogen dioxide?
Several spectroscopic methods are used to study nitrogen dioxide:
38. How does nitrogen dioxide affect the Earth's radiative balance?
Nitrogen dioxide affects the Earth's radiative balance in several ways:

Articles

Back to top