Question

Write the principle of manufacture of ammonia by Haber’s process. How does it react with CuSO\(_4\) solution?

Hint:

In the Haber process, ammonia is produced by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen in the presence of heat, pressure, and a catalyst. It forms a blue complex with CuSO₄.

Answer 1

Step 1: Principle of Haber’s process.
The Haber process is an industrial method used for synthesizing ammonia (NH₃) from nitrogen (N₂) and hydrogen (H₂) gases. The principle involves the direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen under high temperature (400-500°C), high pressure (200-300 atm), and the presence of a catalyst (typically iron) to produce ammonia. The balanced chemical equation for the Haber process is: \[ N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \xrightarrow{\text{Fe catalyst}, 400^\circ C, 300 atm} 2NH_3(g) \] Step 2: Reaction with CuSO\(_4\) solution.
Ammonia reacts with copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄) solution to form a deep blue complex. The reaction is as follows: \[ 2NH_3(aq) + CuSO_4(aq) \to [Cu(NH_3)_4]SO_4(aq) \] This reaction forms the complex ion \([Cu(NH_3)_4]^{2+}\), which is responsible for the characteristic blue color.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Ammonia is synthesized using the Haber process, and it reacts with copper(II) sulfate solution to form a blue complex, indicating the presence of ammonia.