The nature of copper dissolution in nitric acid has been the subject of discussion for decades, with questions arising as to what causes the concentration dependence of the reaction as well as the nature of the catalytic mechanism. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to help elucidate the mechanism of the dissolution of Cu by HNO3 and explain the concentration dependence. Generally, the three overall chemical reactions that control the dissolution process are: Cu + 4HNO3 [endif]--&gt; Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 +2H2O (1) Cu + 3HNO3 [endif]--&gt; Cu(NO3)2 + HNO2 +H2O (2) Cu + 8HNO3 [endif]--&gt; 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO +4H2O (3) Based on theoretical calculations, our mechanism suggests that the three reactions are coupled. The two key intermediates are the formation of a Cu-NO adduct and the Cu-NO2 adduct.

Mechanism of copper dissolution by nitric acid: Unraveling a century of hypotheses

2019 Fall National Meeting

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