When the yellow liquid NCl3 is stirred into aqueous sodium hydroxide, the reaction that occurs
can be represented by the following equation.
2NCl3(l) + 6NaOH(aq) ---> N2(g) + 3NaCl (aq) + 3NaOCl (aq) + 3H2O(l)
What will be the result of this reaction?
1 The nitrogen is oxidised.
2 A bleaching solution remains after the reaction.
3 The final solution gives a precipitate with acidified silver nitrate.
The MS says 2 and 3 are correct only.
Why isnt 1 also correct ? It is obvious that Nitrogen goes from an oxidation state of -3 in NCl3 to 0 in N2. Hasnt the Nitrogen been oxidised?