Question

The oxide of nitrogen which acts as a catalyst in lead chamber process is:
A. $NO$
B. $N{{O}_{2}}$
C. ${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{4}}$
D. ${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Lead chamber process is usually used for the production of sulphuric acid, So, try to write the chemical reactions of the conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphuric acid where there is a requirement of a catalyst. Generally, a homogenous catalyst is used in this process.

Complete answer:
First let us know about the lead chamber process.
The lead chamber process is usually to prepare the sulphuric acid and the reactions which undergo in this process is an example of homogeneous catalysis. Homogeneous catalysis is a type of catalysis, in which all the reactants, products and the catalysts as well are used to be existing in the same phase whether it is liquid, solid, or gas phase. Thus, the production of sulphuric acid reaction occurs through the oxidation of sulphur dioxide, it means that it will involve the use of oxygen.
And we know that, there is formation of intermediate products in the homogeneous catalysis. Let us write the chemical reactions involving the formation of intermediate products first.
$2NO(g)+{{O}_{2}}(g)\to 2N{{O}_{2}}(g)$
And in then the sulphur dioxide will react with nitrogen dioxide to form sulphur trioxide and the reaction will look like as shown below:
$2S{{O}_{2}}(g)+2N{{O}_{2}}(g)\to 2S{{O}_{3}}(g)+2NO(g)$
So, from the first reaction we get to know that the nitrogen dioxide acts as an intermediate compound, whereas in the second reaction with the help of nitrogen dioxide, it involves the formation of sulphur trioxide. Thus, we can write the reaction as:
$2S{{O}_{2}}(g)+{{O}_{2}}(g)\xrightarrow{NO(g)}2S{{O}_{3}}(g)$
Therefore, we can conclude that nitric oxide i.e. $NO$ is used as a catalyst in the lead chamber process for the production of sulphuric acid.

Hence, the correct option is A.

Note:
The main principle behind the lead chamber process is that the moist $S{{O}_{2}}$(sulphur dioxide) in presence of nitric oxide as an active catalyst, is oxidized to sulphur trioxide with the oxygen present in air.