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Nitrogen & Sulphur

This topic introduces some of the chemistry associated with nitrogen and sulfur.

a explain the lack of reactivity of nitrogen

b describe and explain:

(i) the basicity of ammonia

(ii) he structure of the ammonium ion and its formation by an acid-base reaction

(iii) the displacement of ammonia from its salts

c state the industrial importance of ammonia and nitrogen compounds derived from
ammonia

d state and explain the environmental consequences of the uncontrolled use of nitrate
fertilisers

e state and explain the natural and man-made occurrences of oxides of nitrogen and
their catalytic removal from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines

f explain why atmospheric oxides of nitrogen are pollutants, including their catalytic
role in the oxidation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide

g describe the formation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide from the combustion of sulfur-
contaminated fossil fuels

h state the role of sulfur dioxide in the formation of acid rain and describe the main
environmental consequences of acid rain

NITROGEN & SULFUR

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13 Nitrogen and sulfur

This topic introduces some of the chemistry associated with nitrogen and sulfur.

Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:

13.1 Nitrogen a) explain the lack of reactivity of nitrogen

b) describe and explain:
(i) the basicity of ammonia (see also Section 7.2)
(ii) the structure of the ammonium ion and its formation by an acid-base
reaction
(iii) the displacement of ammonia from its salts
c) state the industrial importance of ammonia and nitrogen compounds
derived from ammonia
d) state and explain the environmental consequences of the uncontrolled
use of nitrate fertilisers
e) state and explain the natural and man-made occurrences of oxides of
nitrogen and their catalytic removal from the exhaust gases of internal
combustion engines
f) explain why atmospheric oxides of nitrogen are pollutants, including
their catalytic role in the oxidation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide (see also
Section 8.3(e)(iii))

13.2 Sulfur: the a) describe the formation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide from the
formation of combustion of sulfur-contaminated fossil fuels
atmospheric sulfur
b) state the role of sulfur dioxide in the formation of acid rain and describe
dioxide, its role in
the main environmental consequences of acid rain
acid rain

34 www.cie.org.uk/alevel Back to contents page

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NITROGEN AND SULFUR

NITROGEN
Although 78% of air is Nitrogen, only a small portion is involved in
the nitrogen cycle.
Biological fixation and lightening remove nitrogen from the
atmosphere.
Nitrogen is then returned to the atmosphere by bacterial action.
Commercially, it is obtained by fractional distillation of liquified air.
Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas, with a triple bonding between
nitrogen atoms giving a bond energy of 994 kJ/mol.

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NITROGEN
This results in Nitrogen being inert as a lot of heat is required for
the bond to break.
Hence, most reactions involving Nitrogen are endothermic, owing to
the high bond energy.
Nitrogen is used to provide an inert atmosphere for food storage.
Nitrogen is also used to manufacture Ammonia.
This is done by reacting it with Hydrogen at 500oC and 100 atm.
Iron catalyst is used to speed up the reaction.

AMMONIA
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent odour.
Trigonal pyramidal, ammonia is a polar molecule, facilitating
hydrogen bonds.
Ammonia is highly soluble in water, and produces ammonium ions,
releasing hydroxide ions in the process.

NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH—

A weak base, ammonia precipitates all insoluble metallic hydroxides

from aqueous solutions of their salts.

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AMMONIA
Ammonia, due to the presence of a lone pair is able to accept protons.
This is done by forming dative bonds.
The ammonium ion formed is tetrahedral in shape, with a positive charge.
Ammonium salts are all soluble in water, as they can form hydrogen bonds with
water.
Ammonia forms the basis of nitrogen industry. This industry covers a large array
of products.
Such as to manufacture nitric acid, as well as nitrate and sulfate based fertilizers.
Also, Ammonia is used in window cleaning as well as in the manufacture of
nylon.

EUTROPHICATION
To be absorbed by plants, fertilizers have to be soluble in water.
Excess fertilizers often get leached into the soil.
This leads to high concentrations of nitrates in reservoirs, facilitating
a rapid growth of algae.
The algae soon block off sunlight from reaching the submerged
aquatic plants, which soon die due to lack of photosynthesis.
Bacteria feed on the dead organisms, and further lowers oxygen
concentrations, resulting in death of almost all aquatic life.

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SULFUR
Sulfur is a yellow, non metal solid.
Found as S8 molecules, Sulfur has a melting point of 119oC with a
boiling point of 444oC.
Sulfur burns in air with a blue flame to form sulfur dioxide and trace
amounts of sulfur trioxide.

SULFUR DIOXIDE
Sulfur dioxide is an acidic oxide, that forms sulfurous acid when dissolved in
water.
It is obtained by burning sulfur compounds in air.
Sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere by combustion of sulfur
contaminated fuels and smelting of sulfide ores.
Dissolving in water to give sulfurous acid, it rapidly gets oxidised to sulfuric
acid.
Nitrogen oxides from exhaust fumes catalyse this oxidation.
This causes acid rain, which is harmful to marine life, humans, plants and
buildings alike.
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