Nitric acid
Also known as Azotic acid, Aqua fortis, Salpetersaeure
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Transparent, colorless, or yellowish, fuming, hygroscopic, corrosive liquid
- Melting point
- -41.6 °C
- Boiling point
- 83 °C
- Density
- 1.5129 g/cm³ at 20 °C
- Solubility
- Very soluble in water
- HS code
- 280800
- Category
- Inorganic acids
- UN number
- UN 2032
What is Nitric acid?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Nitric acid is a nitrogen oxoacid of formula HNO3 in which the nitrogen atom is bonded to a hydroxy group and by equivalent bonds to the remaining two oxygen atoms. It has a role as a reagent and a protic solvent. It is a conjugate acid of a nitrate.
Nitric acid is a strong, oxidising mineral acid.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- nitric acid
- CAS number
- 7697-37-2 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 10043-27-3, 122392-03-4, 309963-65-3, 78989-43-2
- EC numbers
- 231-714-2, 682-472-3
- Molecular formula
- HNO3
- UNII
- 411VRN1TV4
- MDL number
- MFCD00011349
- INCI name
- NITRIC ACID
- InChIKey
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/HNO3/c2-1(3)4/h(H,2,3,4)
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- [N+](=O)(O)[O-]
Synonyms
- Azotic acid
- Aqua fortis
- Salpetersaeure
- Nital
- Acide nitrique
- Acidum nitricum
- Nitricum acidum
- Nitrous fumes
- Nitryl hydroxide
- Engraver's acid
- Salpetersaure
- RFNA
- Acido nitrico
- Azotowy kwas
- Kyselina dusicne
- Salpeterzuuroplossingen
- Nitric acid, anhydrous
- acide azotique
- HONO2
- trioxonitric acid
- Nitric acid (red fuming)
- hydroxidodioxidonitrogen
- hydrogen trioxonitrate(1-)
- (NO2(OH))
- [NO2(OH)]
Show all 37 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- Engravers acid
- White fuming nitric acid (WFNA)
- Nitricum acidum 30C
- Nitricum acidum 200C
- Bestmade Natural Products Nitric Acid
- Acid, Nitric
- Hydrogen nitrate
- Red fuming nitric acid
- Nitric Acid (65%)
- Nitric acid (NF)
- 4,4-Dioctyl-cyclopenta[2,1-b :3,4-b' ]dithiophene
- Nitric Acid (70%)
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Transparent, colorless, or yellowish, fuming, hygroscopic, corrosive liquidexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Odour | Characteristic choking odorexp.Measured value |
| Taste | 1.1 × 10⁺³ N detection level in water. /Purity not specified/exp.Measured value |
| Melting point | -41.6 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 83 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | 1.5129 g/cm³ at 20 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Very soluble in waterexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 63.1 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 63.01 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 62.9956 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | -0.35calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 63.37 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 2calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 4calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H272May intensify fire, oxidiser.
- H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H330Fatal if inhaled.
Precautionary statements (19)
- P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P220Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
- P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
- P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P320Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 2032
- Transport hazard class
- 8
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidNitric acid suppliers
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Nitric acid is on a monitored list. Requests are reviewed by our compliance team.
Allowed to trade, enquiries are logged for compliance.
Reference: EU Regulation 2019 1148 explosives precursor
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Where suppliers are based
618 suppliers in 74 countries
- United States149
- India131
- China43
- United Kingdom18
- Thailand15
- Germany14
- and 68 more countries
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Nitric acid price
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Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
Manufacture of inorganic and organic nitrates and nitro compounds for fertilizers, dye intermediates, explosives ... Pharmaceutic aid (acidifier).
Metallurgy, photo-engraving, etching steel, ore flotation, urethanes, rubber chemicals, reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
Nitric acid is a very common mineral acid. It is used to dissolve noble metals, for etching and cleaning metals, and to make nitrates and nitrocompounds, including organic derivatives found in commercial or military explosives.
Industrial uses: Other, Solvent, Energy Releasers (explosives, motive propellant), Plating agent, pH regulating agent, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent, Soil amendments (fertilizers).
Consumer uses: Other, pH regulating agent, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Ion exchange agent, Soil amendments (fertilizers), Reducing agent, Dehydrating agent (desiccant).
Use classes: Processing Aids and Additives, Safer Chemical Classes.
Industries and functions
Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name NITRIC ACID(solvent)
Pharmacological actions
- Explosive Agents
Roles
- Bronsted acid
- acid
- antineoplastic agent
- cardiovascular drug
- donor
- pharmaceutical
- polar solvent
- protic solvent
- reagent
- solvent
Functional uses
- Processing aids not otherwise specified
- pH regulating agent
Cosmetic functions
- Solvent
How it is made
Almost all commercial quantities of nitric acid are manufactured by the oxidation of ammonia with air to form nitrogen oxides that are absorbed in water to form nitric acid. Because nitric acid has a maximum boiling azeotrope at 69 wt%, the processes are usually categorized as either weak (subazeotropic) or direct strong (superazeotropic). Typically, weak processes make 50-65 wt% acid and direct strong processes make up to 99 wt% acid. Strong acid may also be made indirectly from the weak acid by using extractive distillation with a dehydrating agent.
Read more
Nitric acid concentration processes use a dehydrating agent such as sulfuric acid or magnesium nitrate to enhance the volatility of HNO3 so that distillation methods can surpass the azeotropic concentration of nitric acid.
The industrial production of nitric acid by the Ostwald process ... involves three chemical steps: 1) Catalytic oxidation of ammonia with atmospheric oxygen to yield nitrogen monoxide: 2) Oxidation of the nitrogen monoxide product to nitrogen dioxide or dinitrogen tetroxide: 3) Absorption of the nitrogen oxides to yield nitric acid.
(1) Oxidation of ammonia by air or oxygen with platinum catalyst. Air oxidation yields 60% acid, concentration is achieved by (a) distillation with sulfuric acid, (b) extractive distillation with magnesium nitrate, or (c) neutralizing the weak acid with soda ash, evaporating to dryness, and treating with sulfuric acid.
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Nitric acid is on a monitored list. Requests are reviewed by our compliance team.
Allowed to trade, enquiries are logged for compliance.
Reference: EU Regulation 2019 1148 explosives precursor
Our policy on controlled substancesEurope
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 007-004-00-1
Health and food
- EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
- Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
United States
- Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
Controls
- Explosives or explosive precursor control list
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Nitric acid is traded under.
Sulphonitric acids
The HS code shown for Nitric acid is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Related chemicals
Parent and salt forms, stereoisomers, similar structures and isomers
Stereoisomers and isotopic forms
Same connectivity, different stereochemistry or isotopes (same InChIKey skeleton)
Similar structures
Nearest neighbours by Morgan fingerprint Tanimoto similarity
Same formula isomers
Different compounds that share this molecular formula
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Nitric acid, based on the data on this page
What is Nitric acid?
What is the CAS number of Nitric acid?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Nitric acid?
What is Nitric acid used for?
Is Nitric acid hazardous?
What is the HS code of Nitric acid?
Where can I buy Nitric acid?
Where can I buy Nitric acid in India?
What is the price of Nitric acid?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Nitric acid
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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