Question

In which of these processes platinum is used as a catalyst.

• A. Oxidation of ammonia to form $HNO_{3}$
• B. Hardening of oils
• C. Production of synthetic rubber
• D. Synthesis of methanol

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Oxidation of ammonia to form $HNO_{3}$

Answer 2

Platinum acts as catalyst in the oxidation of ammonia to form nitric oxide. This reaction is used in the Ostwald’s method of nitric acid preparation

$4NH_{3} + 5O_{2}\underset{750{^\circ}C}{\overset{\quad Pt\quad}{\rightarrow}}4NO + 6H_{2}O$

$2NO + O_{2} \rightarrow 2NO_{2}$

$4NO_{2} + O_{2} + 2H_{2}O \rightarrow 4HNO_{3}$