Sodium nitrate is used in the production of fertilizers, nitric acid, pyrotechnics, smoke-bombs, glass and pottery enamels. In combination with boron trifluoride it forms an efficient reagent for nitration of aromatic compounds. Adsorption on alumina provides an environmentally benign aromatic nitrating agent. Further it finds use as food preservative and as a solid rocket propellant. It is also used as an electrolyte in a salt bridge, and as thermal storage medium in power generation systems.
This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.
Applications
Sodium nitrate is used in the production of fertilizers, nitric acid, pyrotechnics, smoke-bombs, glass and pottery enamels. In combination with boron trifluoride it forms an efficient reagent for nitration of aromatic compounds. Adsorption on alumina provides an environmentally benign aromatic nitrating agent. Further it finds use as food preservative and as a solid rocket propellant. It is also used as an electrolyte in a salt bridge, and as thermal storage medium in power generation systems.
Solubility
Freely soluble in water, ammonia and hydrazine. Soluble in alcohol.Slightly soluble in pyridine.
Notes
Sodium nitrate is hygroscopic in nature.
RUO – Research Use Only
Xu, M.; Wang, J.; Li, C.; Zhang, J.; Liu, Y.; Yuan, G. Effect of electric field to infrared absorption properties of sodium nitrate on silver/diamond powder (Ag/DP) composites. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2014, 613, 10-14.
Steinitz, M. O.; Pink, D. A.; Clancy, J. P.; MacDonald, N.; Swainson, I. Sodium Nitrate -- A Difficult Discontinuous Phase Transition. Can. J. Phys. 2004, 82 (12), 1097-1107.
Hernández-Paredesa, J.; Carrillo-Pesqueiraa, F. J.; Esparza-Ponceb, H. E.; Hernández-Negretea, O.; Alvarez-Ramosa, M. E. l-Proline-sodium nitrate obtained from solvent drop grinding. Polyhedron 2015, 91, 84-88.