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The Ostwald process is a commercial process, invented by Wilhelm Ostwald, used to produce nitric acid. Following production from the Haber process, 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:
- 4 NH3 + 5 O2 → 4 NO + 6 H2O
- 2 NO + O2 → 2 NO2
- 4 NO2 + O2 + 2 H2O → 4 HNO3(aq)
Fixing Nitrogen into ammonia and nitric acid was a key development in the production of fertilisers and explosives. Previously sources of Nitrogen had been Guano and Chile saltpeter (NaNO3).
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