Ostwald process
The
Ostwald process is a commercial process, invented by
Wilhelm Ostwald, used to produce
nitric acid.
Ammonia is heated with a catalyst (
platinum) to form
nitric oxide that is then
oxidized to yield
nitrogen dioxide, which in turn reacts with
water to yield nitric acid and nitric oxide:
2 NH3 + 4 O2 --> 2 NO + 3 H2O
2 NO + O2 --> 2 NO2
4 NO2 + O2 + 2 H2O --> 4 HNO3(aq)