Question

Which among the following oxides can yield Nitric acid on hydrolysis?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
B
C
D

One of the more obvious options is $N_2{O}_5$ which is the anhydride of $HN{O}_3$. In fact $N_2{O}_5$ is prepared by dehydrating $HN{O}_3$ using $P_4{O}_{10}$.
$N_2{O}_3+H_{2}O\to 2HN{O}_2$
Can you recall the steps involved in the Oswald process?
Ostwald process: Ammonia is converted to nitric acid in presence of a Catalyst such as platinum with $10\%$ Rhodium.
$4N{H}_3\left(g\right)+5O_2\left(g\right)\underset{10\%Rh}{\overset{Pt}{\to }}4NO\left(g\right)+6H_{2}O\left(g\right)$
$2NO+O_2\to 2N{O}_2$
$3N{O}_2+H_{2}O\to 2HN{O}_3+NO$
Clearly, option D is also correct. What can you comment about $N_2{O}_4$ as a prospective answer here?
Yes! $N_2{O}_4$ is the low-temperature dimer of Nitrogen dioxide. So option B is also accurate.
But wait! We were talking about hydrolysis weren’t we?
$2N{O}_2+H_{2}O\to HN{O}_3+HN{O}_2$