Question

$\mathrm{SnO}$ is called an amphoteric Oxide. Give an explanation for it.

Answer 1

Amphoteric oxide: An amphoteric oxide is an oxide that can act either as an acid or as a base to produce salt and water in a reaction.

Tin oxide(SnO):

• Tin(II) oxide can act either as an acid or as a base to produce salt and water in a reaction, so ($\mathrm{SnO}$) it is an Amphoteric oxide.

Tin oxide as base:

• Tin(II) oxide reacts with Hydrochloric acid to produce Stannous chloride and water.

$\underset{\mathrm{Stannous}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{SnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{acid}}{2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Stannous}\mathrm{Chloride}}{{\mathrm{SnCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$

Tin oxide as acid:

• Tin(II) oxide reacts with Sodium hydroxide to produce Stannate(II)sodium and water.

$\underset{\mathrm{Stannous}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{SnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{hydroxide}}{2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Stannate}\left(\mathrm{II}\right)\mathrm{sodium}}{{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SnO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$