Sodium Nitrate

Product Description

Sodium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula NaNO It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water Sodium nitrate is widely used in various industries and applications including agriculture food preservation and chemical manufacturing Heres a detailed overview  

 Properties  

1 Chemical Formula NaNO  

2 Molecular Weight 8500 gmol  

3 Appearance White or colorless crystalline solid  

4 Solubility Highly soluble in water  

5 Melting Point 308C 586F  

6 Boiling Point Decomposes before boiling  

7 Nature Strong oxidizing agent  

 Uses  

1 Agriculture 

    Used as a nitrogenrich fertilizer to promote plant growth

2 Food Industry

    Added as a preservative and curing agent for meats E number E251 to inhibit bacterial growth and preserve color  

3 Chemical Industry

    In the production of explosives such as dynamite and other nitrocompounds

    As a raw material in the synthesis of potassium nitrate via double displacement reactions  

4 Pyrotechnics

    Used in fireworks and flares for oxygen supply to sustain combustion  

5 Glass Manufacturing

    Acts as a flux in glassmaking to reduce melting temperatures  

 Health and Safety  

 Toxicity High doses can be toxic if ingested leading to methemoglobinemia a condition where oxygen delivery to tissues is impaired  

 Oxidizer As a strong oxidizing agent it can accelerate combustion and should be stored away from flammable materials  

 Environmental Impact Runoff into water bodies can contribute to eutrophication harming aquatic ecosystems