Question:

In Dumas method for the estimation of $N _2$, the sample is heated with copper oxide and the gas evolved is passed over :

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Dumas' method is commonly used for the estimation of nitrogen in organic compounds by releasing nitrogen gas through heating with copper oxide.

Updated On: Mar 20, 2025

Copper gauze
$Pd$
$Ni$
Copper oxide

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The Correct Option is A

Approach Solution - 1

Duma's method.
The nitrogen containing organic compound, when heated with

C u O

in a atmosphere of

C O_{2}

, yields free

N_{2}

in addition to

C O_{2}

and

H_{2} O

C_{x} H_{y} N_{z} + (2 x + \frac{y}{2}) C u O \to

x C O_{2} + \frac{y}{2} H_{2} O + \frac{z}{2} N_{2} + (2 x + \frac{y}{2}) C u

Traces of nitrogen oxides formed, if any, are reduced to nitrogen by passing the gaseous mixture over heated copper gauze.
So, the correct option is (A) : Copper gauze

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Approach Solution -2

In Dumas' method, the nitrogen-containing organic compound is heated with copper oxide in an atmosphere of CO$_2$.
The resulting reaction produces nitrogen gas in addition to CO$_2$ and H$_2$O:

\[ C_xH_yN_z + \left( 2x + \frac{y}{2} \right) \text{CuO} \rightarrow x \text{CO}_2 + \frac{y}{2} \text{H}_2\text{O} + \frac{z}{2} \text{N}_2 + \left( 2x + \frac{y}{2} \right) \text{Cu} \]

Afterward, any nitrogen oxides formed are reduced to nitrogen gas by passing the gaseous mixture over heated copper gauze.

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Organic Chemistry - Some Basic Principles and Techniques

Organic Chemistry is a subset of chemistry dealing with compounds of carbon. Therefore, we can say that Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds and is 200-225 years old. Carbon forms bond with itself to form long chains of hydrocarbons, e.g.CH₄, methane and CH₃-CH₃ ethane. Carbon has the ability to form carbon-carbon bonds quite elaborately. Polymers like polyethylene is a linear chain where hundreds of CH₂are linked together.

Read Also: Organic Compounds

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Organic chemistry is applicable in a variety of areas including-

Medicines: Example- Aspirin which is a headache medicine and Ibuprofen is a painkiller, both are organic compounds. Other examples include paracetamol.
Food: Example- Starch which is a carbohydrate is an organic compound and a constituent of rice and other grains. It is the source of energy.
Clothing: Example- Nylon, Polyester and Cotton are forms of organic compounds.
Fuels: Examples- Gasoline, Petrol and Diesel are organic compounds used in the automobile industry at large.