How to Prepare Gases
Chemistry Lab Instructions
You can use common chemistry lab chemicals and equipment to prepare several gases. A conical flask, thistle funnel, delivery tube, pneumatic trough, and beehive are useful items to have on hand. Please make sure you are familiar with the use and functioning of the laboratory equipment you use, are aware of the characteristics of the substances (toxicity, flammability, explosivity, etc.), and take proper safety precautions. Use a ventilation hood (fume cupboard) and keep flammable gases away from heat or flame. I've tried to be as accurate as possible in my instructions, but you use them at your own risk. For convenience, I've listed the gases in alphabetical order.
Gas | Reagents | Method | Collection | Reaction |
Ammonia NH3 | Ammonium chloride Calcium hydroxide | Gently heat a mixture of ammonium chloride and calcium hydroxide in water. | Upward displacement of air in a hood. | Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl → 2NH3 + CaCl2 + 2H2O |
Carbon Dioxide CO2 | Calcium carbonate (marble chips) 5 M Hydrochloric acid | Add 5 M hydrochloric acid to 5 - 10 g marble chips. | Upward displacement of air in a hood. | 2HCl + CaCO3 → CO2 + CaCl2 + H2O |
Chlorine Cl2 | Potassium permanganate Conc. Hydrochloric acid | Add concentrated hydrochloric acid dropwise onto a small amount of potassium permanganate crystals (in flask). | Upward displacement of air in a hood. | 6HCl + 2KMnO4 + 2H+ → 3Cl2 + 2MnO2 + 4H2O + 2K+ |
Hydrogen H2 | Zinc (granulated) 5 M Hydrochloric acid | Add 5 M hydrochloric acid to 5 - 10 g granulated zinc pieces. | Collect over water. | 2HCl + Zn → H2 + ZnCl2 |
Hydrogen Chloride HCl | Sodium chloride Conc. Sulfuric acid | Slowly add concentrated sulfuric acid to solid sodium chloride. | Displacement of air in a hood. | 2NaCl + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2HCl |
Methane CH4 | Sodium acetate (anhydrous) Soda lime | Mix 1 part sodium acetate with 3 parts soda lime. Heat in a dry pyrex test tube or flask. | Collect over water. | CH3COONa + NaOH → CH4 + Na2CO3 |
Nitrogen N2 | Ammonia Calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder) | Shake 20 g calcium hypochlorite into 100 mL water for several minutes, then filter. Add 10 mL conc. ammonia and heat mixture. Use extreme caution! Chloramine and explosive nitrogen trichloride may be produced. | Displacement of air. | 2NH3 + 3CaOCl2 → N2 + 3H2O + 3CaCl2 |
Nitrogen N2 | Air Lighted Phosphorus (or heated Fe or Cu) | Invert a bell jar over lighted phosphorus. Oxygen and phosphorus combine to form phosphorus pentoxide, which is absorbed by the water over which the bell jar stands (may be violent reaction), producing phosphoric acid and leaving the nitrogen behind. | Removal of oxygen. | 5 O2 + 4 P → P4O10 |
Nitrogen Dioxide NO2 | Copper (turnings) 10 M Nitric acid | Add concentrated nitric acid to 5 - 10 g copper. | Upward displacement of air in a hood. | Cu + 4HNO3 → 2NO2 + Cu(NO3)2 + 2H2O |
Nitrogen Monoxide NO | Copper (turnings) 5 M Nitric acid | Add 5 M nitric acid to 5 - 10 g copper. | Collect over water. | 3Cu + 8HNO3 → 2NO + 3Cu(NO3)2 + 4H2O |
Nitrous Oxide N2O | Sodium nitrate Ammonium sulfate | Mix 10 g powdered sodium nitrate and 9 g ammonium sulfate. Heat well. | Displacement of air. | NH4NO3 → N2O + 2H2O |
Oxygen O2 | 6% Hydrogen peroxide Manganese dioxide (catalyst) | Add hydrogen peroxide to about 5 g of MnO2. | Collect over water. | 2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2 |
Oxygen O2 | Potassium permanganate | Heat solid KMnO4. | Collect over water. | 2KMnO4 → K2MnO4 + MnO2 + O2 |
Sulfur Dioxide SO2 | Sodium sulfite (or sodium bisulfite) 2 M Hydrochloric acid | Add dilute hydrochloric acid to 5 - 10 g sodium sulfite (or bisulfite). | Upward displacement of air in a hood. | Na2SO3 + 2HCl → SO2 + H2O + 2NaCl |