JAMB - Chemistry (2019 - No. 10)
Which of the following is the best starting material for the preparation of oxygen? Heating of trioxonitrate (v) with
Pb
Zn
Ca
Na
Paliwanag
The best starting material for the preparation of oxygen through heating trioxonitrate(V) (nitrates) would involve a metal that facilitates the decomposition of the nitrate to produce oxygen, coincidentally, Pb (Lead) falls into that category.
Lead(II) nitrate (Pb(NO\(_3\))\(_2\)) decomposes upon heating to produce oxygen, nitrogen dioxide, and lead(II) oxide. This reaction is often used in laboratory settings to generate oxygen.
2Pb(NO\(_3\))\(_2\) → 2PbO + 4NO\(_2\) + O\(_2\)
This makes lead (Pb) a suitable choice for generating oxygen from nitrates.