8647. Sodium Nitrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7631-99-4
Nitric acid sodium salt (1:1); chile saltpeter; cubic niter; soda niter.
NNaO3; mol wt 84.99.
N 16.48%, Na 27.05%, O 56.48%.
NaNO3.

Description and references

The purified grade contains at least 99% NaNO3. Occurs as a mineral in Chile. Toxicity data: Dollahite, Rowe, Southwest. Vet. 27, 246 (1974).

Properties

Colorless, transparent crystals, white granules or powder; deliquesc in moist air. d 2.26. mp 308°. One gram dissolves in 1.1 ml water, 0.6 ml boiling water, 125 ml alcohol, 52 ml boiling alcohol, 3470 ml abs alcohol, 300 ml abs methanol. When dissolved in water the temp of the soln is lowered. The aq soln is neutral. Oxidizer. Keep well closed. LD50 orally in rabbits: 1.955 g anion/kg (Dollahite, Rowe).

Use

Manuf of nitric acid and as catalyst in the manuf of sulfuric acid. Manuf sodium nitrite, glass, enamels for pottery; in matches; for improving burning properties of tobacco; pickling meats; as color fixative in meats. Clinical reagent (parasites). The technical grade is used as fertilizer. Oxidizer.