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Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques
Question
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Why is nitric acid added to sodium extract before adding silver nitrate for testing halogens?

Answer

In the test of halogens from sodium extract, a small amount of dilute HNO3 is added. This is because in testing the halogen from the Lassigne's extract, it contains halogens. IN case nitrogen and sulphur are also present along with halogens in the organic compound, then along with sodium halide compound, we also get sodium sulphide and sodium cyanide.
Nitric acid decomposes sodium cyanide and sodium halide. else, they precipitate in test and misguide the result.
NaCN +HNO3 -> NaNO3 +HCl
Na2S +2HNO3 ->2NaNO3 + H2S
Therefore, dilute nitric acid is added before testing halogens to expel all the gases if evolved.

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