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Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles And Techniques

Question
CBSEENCH11007429

Why is it necessary to boil the sodium extract with conc. HNO3 before testing the halogen?

Solution

It is boiled with concentrated nitric acid to decompose any sodium cyanide or sodium sulphide present in the compound containing nitrogen or sulphur also. 
NaCN space plus space HNO subscript 3 space rightwards arrow space space space NaNO subscript 3 space plus space HCN downwards arrow
Na subscript 2 straight S space plus space 2 HNO subscript 3 space end subscript space rightwards arrow space space 2 NaNO subscript 3 space plus space straight H subscript 2 straight S space downwards arrow