7649. Potassium Nitrite

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7758-09-0
Nitrous acid potassium salt (1:1).
KNO2; mol wt 85.10.
K 45.94%, N 16.46%, O 37.60%.

Description and references

The nitrite of commerce usually contains ≈85% KNO2, the remainder consisting chiefly of nitrate.

Properties

White or slightly yellow, deliquesc granules or rods. Dec even by weak acids with evolution of brown fumes of nitrous anhydride. d 1.915; mp 441° (decompn starts at 350°). Sol in 0.35 part water, slightly in alc. The aq soln is alkaline. Oxidizer. Keep well closed. LD50 orally in rabbits: 108 mg anion/kg, Dollahite, Rowe, Southwest. Vet. 27, 246 (1974).

Use

Complexing agent.

Therapeutic Category

Vasodilator; antidote (cyanide poisoning).

Keywords

Antidote (Cyanide)