Can someone please help me with this question?
Hydrazine is somewhat toxic. Use the half-reactions shown be- low to explain why household bleach (a highly alkaline solution of sodium hypochlorite) should not be mixed with household ammonia or glass cleansers that contain ammonia.
ClO- + H2O + 2e- --> 2OH- + Cl- E°=0.90 V
N2H4 + 2H2O + 2e- --> 2NH3 + 2OH- E°=-0.10 V
Thank you so much! I appreciate your help.
eqn 1 as is. Eo = 0.90
Reverse eqn 2. Eo = 0.10
sum eqn 1 and reverse eqn 2 Eo = 1.00
A + voltage means the products are favored so N2H4 will be produced.
To understand why household bleach should not be mixed with household ammonia or glass cleaners that contain ammonia, we need to analyze the given half-reactions and examine their electrochemical potentials (E° values).
The first half-reaction is the reduction of chlorine ion (Cl-) to hydroxide ion (OH-):
ClO- + H2O + 2e- --> 2OH- + Cl- E° = 0.90 V
The second half-reaction is the reduction of hydrazine (N2H4) to ammonia (NH3) and hydroxide ion (OH-):
N2H4 + 2H2O + 2e- --> 2NH3 + 2OH- E° = -0.10 V
In both reactions, reduction occurs, meaning electrons are gained. The first reaction has a higher positive E° value compared to the second reaction, indicating that the reduction of chlorine ion (Cl-) to hydroxide ion (OH-) is favored more than the reduction of hydrazine (N2H4) to ammonia (NH3) and hydroxide ion (OH-).
Now, when household ammonia or glass cleaners that contain ammonia are mixed with household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), the chlorine ion (Cl-) present in bleach reacts with hydrazine (N2H4) from ammonia, while the hydroxide ions (OH-) from both reactions remain unchanged. This leads to the formation of chloramine (NH2Cl):
Cl- + NH2Cl --> HCl + NCl3
Chloramine (NH2Cl) is a highly toxic and irritating compound. Mixing bleach with ammonia or cleaning products containing ammonia can result in the production of chloramine gas, which is harmful if inhaled or ingested. It can cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, and even chemical burns.
Therefore, it is crucial to avoid mixing household bleach with household ammonia or glass cleaners that contain ammonia to prevent the formation of toxic chloramine gas.