The Reaction of nitric acid with formaldehyde and with formic acid and its application to the removal of nitric acid from mixtures

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Abstract
Efficient methods are given for decreasing or eliminating the nitric acid content of solutions of inorganic nitrates with recovery of oxides of nitrogen and leaving behind no added reagent.The reaction of both formaldehyde and formic acid with nitric acid (2–20N) has been studied at 100°. At constant concentrations of formaldehyde and formic acid the reactions are of apparent third‐order over the nitric acid range 2–15N (rate constants given).Further reaction of formaldehyde or formic acid with nitrate solutions causes precipitation of metal hydroxides as the pH of the solution rises; this may be used as a basis of separation of metals from solution. Nitrates can be converted to other salts such as chloride or sulphate by reaction with formaldehyde after addition of the appropriate acid.Nitrites do not react with formaldehyde in neutral solution, but nitrous acid, liberated by hot acid, decomposes partially into nitric acid which then reacts with formaldehyde as above.

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