Nomenclature
CAS number: 7782-77-6
HNO
2; mol wt 47.01.
H 2.14%, N 29.80%, O 68.07%.
Description and references
Formed by the action of strong acids on inorganic
nitrites. Review: Block, “Nitrous Acid, Hyponitrous Acid
and their Salts” in Mellor's Vol. VIII, supplement II, Nitrogen (part 2) 353-408
(1967).
Properties
Known only in soln (pale blue in color). Weak
acid. pK (25°) 3.35. In water it changes quickly into nitric oxide and nitric acid.
Forms stable, water-sol nitrites with Li, Na, K, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ag.
Does not form salts with weak polyvalent cations like Al or Be.
Forms stable esters with alcohols.