Question
The Lassaigne’s extract is boiled with $$dil.\,HN{O_3}$$ before testing for halogens because
A.
silver halides are soluble in $$HN{O_3}$$
B.
$$N{a_2}S$$ and $$NaCN$$ are decomposed by $$HN{O_3}$$
C.
$$A{g_2}S$$ is soluble in $$HN{O_3}$$
D.
$$AgCN$$ is soluble in $$HN{O_3}$$
Answer :
$$N{a_2}S$$ and $$NaCN$$ are decomposed by $$HN{O_3}$$
Solution :
$$N{a_2}S$$ and $$NaCN,$$ formed during fusion with metallic sodium, must be removed before adding $$AgN{O_3},$$ otherwise black $$ppt.$$ due to $$N{a_2}S$$ or white precipitate due to $$AgCN$$ will be formed and thus white precipitate of $$AgCl$$ will not be identified easily.
\[\begin{align}
& N{{a}_{2}}S+2AgN{{O}_{3}}\to 2NaN{{O}_{3}}+\underset{\text{Black}}{\mathop{A{{g}_{2}}S\downarrow }}\, \\
& NaCN+AgN{{O}_{3}}\to NaN{{O}_{3}}+\underset{\text{White}}{\mathop{AgCN\downarrow }}\, \\
& NaCl+AgN{{O}_{3}}\to NaN{{O}_{3}}+\underset{\text{White}}{\mathop{AgCl\downarrow }}\, \\
& N{{a}_{2}}S+2HN{{O}_{3}}\xrightarrow{\text{boil}}2NaN{{O}_{3}}+{{H}_{2}}S\uparrow \\
& NaCN+HN{{O}_{3}}\xrightarrow{\text{boil}}NaN{{O}_{3}}+HCN\uparrow \\
\end{align}\]