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Nitric Acid

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Identification
Molecular formula
HNO3
CAS number
7697-37-2
IUPAC name
nitric acid
State
State

Nitric acid is a liquid at room temperature. It's often found in concentrations of 65% to 68% by weight in water.

Melting point (Celsius)
-41.60
Melting point (Kelvin)
231.55
Boiling point (Celsius)
83.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
356.15
General information
Molecular weight
63.01g/mol
Molar mass
63.0120g/mol
Density
1.5129g/cm3
Appearence

Nitric acid is a colorless or pale yellow liquid when pure. However, when exposed to light for prolonged periods, it can take on a yellow appearance due to partial decomposition into nitrogen dioxide, a brown gas. This acid is highly corrosive and pungent, and it releases corrosive fumes at room temperature.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Nitric Acid (HNO3)

Nitric acid, with the chemical formula HNO3, is a highly soluble compound in water. Its solubility can be described through several key points:

  • Complete Dissolution: HNO3 is known for its ability to fully dissolve in water, forming a strong acid solution.
  • Aqueous Solution: When mixed with water, it ionizes to produce hydronium ions (H3O+) and nitrate ions (NO3-), which significantly increases the conductivity of the solution.
  • Concentration Variability: The solubility of nitric acid can vary depending on temperature and concentration; for example, higher temperatures generally increase solubility.
  • High Mobility: The dissolved ions in HNO3 facilitate rapid reactions with other substances, showcasing its versatility in various chemical processes.

The importance of solubility in nitric acid is critical in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of fertilizers and explosives. As a strong acid, it readily dissociates in an aqueous environment, making it a fundamental reagent in laboratories and chemical industries. In summary, the excellent solubility of HNO3 in water contributes to its widespread use and effectiveness as a chemical reagent.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts About Nitric Acid

Nitric acid, known by its chemical formula HNO3, is a highly significant chemical compound with a myriad of applications in various fields. Here are some captivating insights into this powerful acid:

  • Industrial Importance: Nitric acid is a key reagent in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives (like TNT), and numerous organic compounds. It plays a crucial role in the agricultural and chemical manufacturing industries.
  • Strong Acid: As a strong acid, nitric acid completely dissociates in water, contributing to its high acidity. This feature illustrates the compound's potential in various chemical reactions, making it a fundamental subject of study in chemistry.
  • Oxidizing Agent: Nitric acid is a potent oxidizer and can react with a wide variety of substances. This characteristic enables it to be used in processes such as the etching of metals and in the production of nitrous oxide.
  • Notable Reaction: When mixed with other acids like sulfuric acid, it can lead to a highly exothermic reaction that produces nitronium ions (NO2+), essential for electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.
  • Environmental Impact: Nitric acid contributes to the formation of nitrogen oxides, which can lead to air pollution and acid rain, posing environmental concerns that necessitate careful management and control in industrial settings.
  • Caution Required: Being highly corrosive and toxic, nitric acid requires careful handling. Proper safety gear, including gloves and goggles, is essential while working with this substance to prevent injuries.

In summary, nitric acid is not only vital in industrial applications but also a pivotal subject in educational chemistry, illustrating the balance between utility and safety in chemical experimentation. As chemists continue to explore its reactivity, the compound remains at the forefront of both innovation and research.

Synonyms
NITRIC ACID
7697-37-2
Azotic acid
Salpetersaeure
Aqua fortis
Hydrogen nitrate
Red fuming nitric acid
Nital
Acide nitrique
Acidum nitricum
Nitricum acidum
Nitrous fumes
Nitryl hydroxide
HNO3
Salpetersaure
RFNA
Acido nitrico
Azotowy kwas
Kyselina dusicne
Salpeterzuuroplossingen
Nitric acid, anhydrous
acide azotique
HONO2
HSDB 1665
Medullipin II
trioxonitric acid
Nitric acid (red fuming)
EINECS 231-714-2
UNII-411VRN1TV4
MFCD00011349
Nitric acid [NF]
411VRN1TV4
CHEBI:48107
hydroxidodioxidonitrogen
12033-49-7
78989-43-2
NITRIC ACID 65%
CHEMBL1352
NITRIC ACID (15N)
DTXSID5029685
EC 231-714-2
Nitric acid (NF)
4,4-Dioctyl-cyclopenta[2,1-b :3,4-b' ]dithiophene
Nitric Acid (65%)
Nitric Acid (70%)
Engraver's acid
NITRIC ACID (II)
NITRIC ACID [II]
NITRIC ACID (MART.)
NITRIC ACID [MART.]
122392-03-4
309963-65-3
(NO2(OH))
[NO2(OH)]
Azotowy kwas [Polish]
Nitric acid, ACS reagent, 70%
Salpetersaure [German]
Nitrate radical
NITRIC ACID (EP MONOGRAPH)
NITRIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]
Engravers acid
Acide nitrique [French]
Acido nitrico [Italian]
Acido nitrico [Spanish]
Kyselina dusicne [Czech]
Nitric acid, ACS reagent, >=90.0%
Salpeterzuuroplossingen [Dutch]
Nitric acid (conc 80% or greater)
UN2031
UN2032
nitroalcohol
nitro-alcohol
Nitric acid (70% or less)
Nitro Alcohol
nitric -acid
Nitrosonitric acid
Nitric acid (greater than 70%)
Nitric Acid Blank
NO3 anion
Nitric acid, ACS
Nitric acid, 1 M
Nitric acid, 65%
Nitric acid, 68%
Nitricum acidum 30C
Nitricum acidum 200C
Nitric acid (38%)
Nitric acid (67%)
Nitric acid, red fuming
Nitric acid, 0.1 M
NITRIC ACID [MI]
hydrogen trioxonitrate(1-)
Nitric acid, 65-70%
NITRIC ACID, FUMING
NITRIC ACID [HSDB]
WLN: PR N-O3X3
Nitric acid, p.a., 65%
NITRIC ACID [WHO-DD]
Nitric acid (HNO3) 94.5% by weight or more HNO3
NITRICUM ACIDUM [HPUS]
DTXCID509685
Nitric acid, 90% ACS Grade
Nitric acid, fuming, 99.5%
Nitric acid, AR, 69-72%
Nitric acid, gallium salt ( )
Nitric acid, LR, 69-72%
DTXSID201316935
Nitric acid, puriss., 64-66%
Nitric acid, reagent grade, >90%
BDBM50152970
AKOS015833449
Nitric acid, technical grade, 50.0%
Nitric acid other than red fuming with >70% nitric acid [UN2031] [Corrosive]
Nitric acid, extra pure, 69.0-71.0%
Nitric acid, red, fuming, HNO3 >90 %
Nitric acid, reagent grade, fuming, >90%
Nitrogen hydroxideoxide (N(OH)2O) (9CI)
N0806
Nitric acid, puriss. p.a., >=65% (T)
NS00010065
C00244
D02313
Q83320
Nitric acid, 70%, purified by double-distillation
Nitric acid, p.a., ACS reagent, 68.0-70.0%
Nitric acid, red fuming [UN2032] [Corrosive]
Q27110015
Nitric acid other than red fuming with >70% nitric acid
2,3,9,10,16,17-Hexachlorinated boron subphthalocyanine
Nitric acid, SAJ first grade, 69-70%, density: 1.42
3088A493-74F8-4D19-8ABC-E572420B5F29
Nitric acid other than red fuming with not >70% nitric acid
Nitric acid, JIS special grade, 60.0-61.0%, density: 1.38
Nitric acid, JIS special grade, 65.0-66.0%, density: 1.40
Nitric acid, JIS special grade, 69.0-70.0%, density: 1.42
Nitric acid, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, fuming, >=99.5%
Nitric acid, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, >=69%
Nitric acid, SAJ first grade, 60.0-62.0%, density: 1.38
Nitric acid, SAJ first grade, 65.0-66.0%, density: 1.40
Nitric acid, 68-70%, Certified ACS Plus Grade Trace metal analyzed
Nitric acid, JIS special grade, >=97.0%, fuming, density: 1.52
Nitric acid, SAJ first grade, >=97.0%, fuming, density: 1.52
Nitric acid, 60.0-62.0%, SAJ super special grade, density: 1.38
Nitric acid, JIS special grade, 90.0-94.0%, fuming, density: 1.50
Nitric acid, puriss. p.a., 65% (Hg <=0.0000005%), >=65% (T)
Nitric acid, SAJ first grade, 90.0-94.0%, fuming, density: 1.50
Nitric acid, semiconductor grade PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17818), >=65%
Nitric acid, semiconductor grade PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17952), >=69%
Nitric acid other than red fuming with not >70% nitric acid [UN2031] [Corrosive]
Nitric acid, 60.0-62.0%, suitable for determination of toxic metals, density: 1.38
Nitric acid, 70%, purified by redistillation, >=99.999% trace metals basis
Nitric acid, p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., 68.5-69.5%
Nitric acid, semiconductor grade MOS PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17920), >=69%
Nitric acid, semiconductor grade VLSI PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17512), 69-71%
231-714-2
Nitric acid, 70%, meets analytical specification of BP, Ph??Eur, Ph??Fran??, USP, FCC, E339
Nitric acid, puriss. p.a., reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., for determinations with dithizone, >=65%
Nitric acid, purum p.a., fuming, packed in coated, shock- and leak-protected glass bottle, >=99% (T)