6.2.1 Equilibrium of NO2 - N2O4

1. Experimental setup 2.
Experimental setup
3. Liquid N2O4 4.
Liquid N2O4
Photo1: Experimental setup: A closed glass ampoule contains nitrogen dioxide (brown). The top is covered with a heating mantel, while the bottom is placed in an ice bath.
Photo2: Colorless N2O4 collects in the lower area of the ampoule.
Photo3: A blue liquid condenses at the bottom of the ampoule. This is a mixture of N2O4 and NO2, which changes into a blue solid (N2O3) after further cooling.
Photo4: We can easily identify the equilibrium situation using color: left, colorless N2O4; right, red-brown NO2.
Nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogentetroxide co-exist in a strongly temperature dependent, dynamic state of equilibrium:

2 NO2 ® N2O4    DH = -57 kJ/mol



As the formation of N2O4 is an exothermic reaction, it is more likely to occur in the cool areas of the ampoule. (Where the system yields to the outer influence to become cold, the exothermic reaction has the upper hand.) Accordingly, brown NO2, whose reaction of formation is endothermic, is produced primarily in the warm parts of the ampoule.

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