From a lit match to a rusting metal car – chemical reactions occur around us every day. Sometimes these reactions produce pretty awesome effects. There are thousands of awesome chemical reactions, but here are seven of our favorites:
Awesome Chemical Reactions
1. Lead Nitrate Reacts with Potassium Iodide
In this reaction, both reactants are colorless solutions. After mixing, heating and then cooling, the result is a beautiful display of glittering lead iodide precipitating out of solution, giving it the nickname ‘golden rain’.
- 2KI (aq) + Pb(NO3)2 (aq) → 2KNO3 (aq) + PbI (s)
2. Mercury (II) Thiocyanate Reacts with Oxygen
Also known colloquially as ‘pharaoh’s serpent’, this chemical reaction was once sold as fireworks and used to be a favorite classroom demonstration. As the name implies, the reaction involves toxic mercury. Mercury (II) thiocyanate is a white solid. When heated, it decomposes into carbon nitride and expands quite dramatically into a brown solid. Sulfur dioxide and mercury (II) sulfide are also produced.
- 2Hg(SCN)2 → 2HgS + CS2 + C3N4
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Potassium Iodide
Known commonly as ‘elephant’s toothpaste’, this is a classroom demonstration favorite and was most recently used as Miss Vermont’s talent in the Miss America preliminaries. In this reaction, the iodine ion from potassium iodide catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. When this occurs, oxygen gas rapidly forms. In most cases, soap is also added, which traps the oxygen as it attempts to escape. The result is a foam eruption that looks like toothpaste large enough for an elephant. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iodide ion occurs in two steps:
- H2O2 (aq) + I– (aq) → H2O (l) + OI– (aq)
- H2O2 (aq) + OI– (aq) → H2O (l) + O2 (g) + I– (aq)
4. Magnesium Reacts with Dry Ice
Magnesium is a white malleable and ductile metal that burns readily in air or oxygen with a brilliant white light, forming magnesium oxide. When magnesium is sandwiched between dry ice – or solid carbon dioxide – it forces the magnesium to react with the carbon dioxide. The result is a powerful single displacement reaction that produces magnesium oxide, carbon and lots of light. The white magnesium oxide product and the black carbon residue can be observed after separating the two dry ice blocks.
- 2 Mg (s) + CO2 (g) → 2MgO (s) + C (s)
5. Oxidation of Potassium Iodide by Hydrogen Peroxide
Also known as the ‘iodine clock’ experiment, a colorless solution of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid is mixed with another colorless solution of potassium iodide and sodium thiosulfate with starch. Moments after mixing, it produces a dark blue solution. The reaction occurs in two steps. The first, slow reaction is when iodine is produced. In the second, fast reaction, iodine is reconverted to two iodide ions by the thiosulfate.
- H2O2 + 2I− + 2H+ → I2 + 2H2O
- 2S2O32− + I2 → S4O62− + 2I−
6. Aluminum Reacts with Iodine
In this reaction, two solid elements react in the presence of water to form aluminum iodide. The reaction is very exothermic and bursts into flames. The heat of the reaction sublimes the iodine, sending a deep purple plume into the gaseous phase. Donating electrons oxidize aluminum while accepting electrons reduce iodine.
- 2Al + 3I2 → 2AlI3
7. Iron Reacts with Copper Sulfate
When solid iron rods are placed in a test tube containing a copper sulfate solution, iron, the more reactive metal, displaces copper to form iron sulfate. This is an example of a single displacement chemical reaction with a spectacular visual effect.
- Fe (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → FeSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)
Need Iodine Derivatives? Ajay-SQM Can Help
From golden rain to ice light, these seven chemical reactions are awesome enough to weather the test of time. Want to try these chemical reactions in your own lab, or just need iodine and its derivatives for your research? Contact us today at Ajay-SQM and let us be your trustworthy and reliable source for iodine derivatives.
