Question

Which of the following is a neutral oxide?
A. $\text{NO}$
B. $\text{N}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$
C. ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
D. ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, we need to understand the fundamental concepts of neutral oxides. These are oxides which do not react with either acid or base. From the compounds given in the options, we need to determine which of them react with neither acids nor with bases. Knowing this, we can easily solve this question.

Complete step by step answer:
Neutral oxides show neither basic or acidic properties and hence do not form salts when reacted with acids and bases.
In the first option we have $\text{NO}$. $\text{NO}$ do not react with water to form oxyacids such as $\text{HN}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$or $\text{HN}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$. So, it is an example of neutral gas oxide of nitrogen.
In the second option we have $\text{N}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$. $\text{N}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is an acidic gas and produces an acidic solution in the water (mixture of acids). So, $\text{N}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is acidic in nature and not a neutral oxide.
In the third option we have ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$. ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$ is the anhydride of $\text{HN}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$, nitrous acid. The anhydride of an acid is the acidic oxide which on hydration forms in acid. So, ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$ is acidic in nature and not a neutral oxide.
In the fourth option, we have ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$. ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$ reacts with water to form basic solutions and can react with acids directly to form salts. So, ${{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$ is basic in nature and not neutral oxide.
Hence, the correct answer is Option A that is $\text{NO}$.

Note: Some examples of neutral oxides are Nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, water, carbon monoxide, manganese(IV) oxide. A total of 7 neutral oxides have been discovered yet.