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Nitrates and nitrites

Sodium nitrate

Also known as Chile saltpeter, Cubic niter, Soda niter

CAS 7631-99-4Formula NNaO3Molar mass 84.99 g/molEC 231-554-3
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Oxidiser, Harmful or irritant 378 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Sodium nitrate chemical structure, NNaO3, CAS 7631-99-4
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless, trigonal or rhombohedron crystals
Melting point
308 °C
Boiling point
380 °C
Density
2.3 g/cm³
Solubility
91.2 g/100g water at 25 °C
HS code
310250
Category
Nitrates and nitrites
UN number
UN 1498
Illustrative photo, colourless crystals in an open woven sack in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Sodium nitrate?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Sodium nitrate is the inorganic nitrate salt of sodium. It has a role as a fertilizer. It is an inorganic sodium salt and an inorganic nitrate salt.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
sodium nitrate
CAS number
7631-99-4 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 15621-57-5
EC numbers
231-554-3, 682-622-8
Molecular formula
NNaO3
UNII
8M4L3H2ZVZ
INCI name
SODIUM NITRATE
InChIKey
VWDWKYIASSYTQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/NO3.Na/c2-1(3)4;/q-1;+1
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[Na+]

Synonyms

  • Chile saltpeter
  • Cubic niter
  • Soda niter
  • Nitrate of soda
  • etabisulfite
  • Nitratine
  • Sodium saltpeter
  • Nitrate de sodium
  • Nitric acid, sodium salt
  • Saltpeter (Chile)
  • Nitric acid monosodium salt
  • Nitric acid sodium salt (1:1)
  • Natrum nitricum
  • Sodium nitrate(DOT)
  • Sodium(I) nitrate (1:1)
  • Nitric acid sodium salt
  • INS NO.251
  • Inflammations
  • Nitrate, sodium
  • sodium, nitrate
  • Nitratite (Na(NO3))
  • Na (N O3)
  • sodiumnitrate
  • Chile salpeter
  • Saltpeter (Chile) (VAN)
Show all 30 synonyms
  • NaNO3
  • Sodium nitrate (NaNO3)
  • 0.001M Sodium nitrate
  • sodium trioxidonitrate(1-)
  • Sodium nitrate, ACS reagent

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
Colorless, trigonal or rhombohedron crystalsexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Taste
Saline, slightly bitter tasteexp.
Melting point
308 °Cexp.
Boiling point
380 °Cexp.
Density
2.3 g/cm³exp.
Solubility
91.2 g/100g water at 25 °Cexp.

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
84.99 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
84.9776 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-3.24calc.
Topological polar surface area
66.2 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
5calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Components
2calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS03: Oxidiser
Oxidiser
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H272May intensify fire, oxidiser.
  • H302Harmful if swallowed.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (12)
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P220Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1498
Transport hazard class
5.1
Packing group
III

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 aid

Sodium nitrate suppliers

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All 378 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

378 suppliers in 54 countries

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Sodium nitrate price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

The first registered pesticide product containing sodium or potassium nitrate dates from 1948. Currently (as of 1991), there are a total of six registered products for these two active ingredients. All currently registered products are pyrotechnic fumigants designed to be ignited and placed in burrows thereby delivering lethal doses of toxic gases for the control of various rodents, coyotes and ground wasps, as well as skunks.

Manufacture of nitric acid and as catalyst in the manufacture of sulfuric acid. Manufacture sodium nitrite, glass, enamels for pottery, in matches, for improving burning properties of tobacco, pickling meats, as color fixative in meats. Clinical reagent (parasites).

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Technical grade is used as fertilizer.

Fertilizer for cotton, tobacco & vegetable crops, oxidizing component of explosives & blasting agents, oxidizer & fluxing agent in the mfr of glass & enamels, component of charcoal briquettes, heat-transfer salt, curing agent & preservative in meats, chem for recovery of tin from scrap, oxidizing agent (eg, in metal coloring solns), chem int (eg, for potassium nitrate).

Industrial uses: Oxidizing agent, Softener and conditioner, Surface modifier, Defoamer, Intermediate, Flocculating agent, Hardener, Chelating agent.

Consumer uses: Other, Binder, Anti-adhesive/cohesive, Anti-freeze agent, Opacifer, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Deodorizer, Preservative.

Use classes: Safer Chemical Classes.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name SODIUM NITRATE(oral care, soothing)

Pharmacological actions

  • Carcinogens

Roles

  • agrochemical
  • anti-asthmatic agent
  • cardiovascular drug
  • fertilizer
  • pharmaceutical

Functional uses

  • Biocide
  • Bleaching agent
  • Chelating agent
  • Corrosion inhibitor
  • Dye
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Humectant
  • Oxidizing agent
  • Preservative
  • Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)
  • Soil amendments

Cosmetic functions

  • Oral care
  • Soothing

How it is made

/It is/ produced synthetically by reacting nitric acid with sodium carbonate.

Neutralization of nitric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide, extraction from the ore with a brine followed by fractional crystallization (non-U.S. method).

Production of Chile saltpeter from caliche ... Warm (40 - 45 °C) mother liquor recycled to leaching contains ca. 330 g/L of sodium nitrate. The leaching process is performed in a series of vats, each having a capacity of ca. 1,000 tons of crushed ore.

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The underflow of each vat is heated before passing to the next one since the dissolution of sodium nitrate is endothermic. Sodium nitrate therefore dissolves preferentially. The product solution obtained after leaching contains 450 g/L of sodium nitrate and is cooled to 5 - 10 °C in heat exchangers and with ammonia refrigerating equipment. The mother liquor obtained after centrifugation of crystallized sodium nitrate is heated to 40 - 45 °C with heat from the condensers in the ammonia chilling loop and then with cooling water from the diesel engines used to generate electric power. Crystalline sodium nitrate obtained after centrifugation contains 3.0 - 3.5 % moisture, it is generally melted at ca. 340 °C and prilled. The granulated product contains only about 1 % sodium chloride. ... Large modern plants also produce coarse crystals of Chile saltpeter, which do not require further processing by melting.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

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

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Sodium nitrate is traded under.

HS 3102.50Exact HS code

Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, sodium nitrate

World exports in 2024
$131M
−22.7% vs 2023, imports $169M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Chile38.8%
  2. China27.0%
  3. United States10.2%
Top importers
  1. United States20.2%
  2. United Arab Emirates * partner reported9.7%
  3. Japan7.7%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Sodium nitrate is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Sodium nitrate, based on the data on this page

What is Sodium nitrate?

Sodium nitrate is the inorganic nitrate salt of sodium. It has a role as a fertilizer. It is an inorganic sodium salt and an inorganic nitrate salt.

What is the CAS number of Sodium nitrate?

The CAS registry number of Sodium nitrate is 7631-99-4. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 15621-57-5.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Sodium nitrate?

The molecular formula of Sodium nitrate is NNaO3 and its molar mass is 84.99 g/mol.

What is Sodium nitrate used for?

The first registered pesticide product containing sodium or potassium nitrate dates from 1948. Currently (as of 1991), there are a total of six registered products for these two active ingredients.

Is Sodium nitrate hazardous?

Sodium nitrate carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: may intensify fire, oxidiser, harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Sodium nitrate?

Sodium nitrate is usually classified under HS code 310250 (Sodium nitrate). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Sodium nitrate?

CompoundList lists 378 suppliers of Sodium nitrate in India, United States, China, United Kingdom and 50 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Sodium nitrate in India?

109 suppliers in India list Sodium nitrate on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Sodium nitrate?

Suppliers quote Sodium nitrate on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Sodium nitrate

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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