STUDY OF HYDRATION AND IONIZATION OF NITRIC-ACID IN BENZENE

The hydration and ionization of nitric acid in benzene were examined a t 298 K. The distribution of nitric acid and of water between aqueous solutions and benzene were determined as functions of water activity i n the aqueous phase. Two hydrates, mono- and decahydrate, were found i n addition to the anhydride in the organic phase by analyzing the dist ribution data on the basis of the stoichiometry of the acid hydration. The mono- and decahydrate were ascribed to molecular and ionized nitr ic acid, respectively, by means of spectrophotometry of the organic ph ase. By the analyses of the absorption spectra and the distribution da ta, the ionization of nitric acid by water in benzene was clarified an d the equilibrium constant was determined.