Peroxynitric acid or peroxonitric acid is a
chemical compound
A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...
with the
formula
In science, a formula is a concise way of expressing information symbolically, as in a mathematical formula or a ''chemical formula''. The informal use of the term ''formula'' in science refers to the general construct of a relationship betwee ...
. It is an
oxyacid
An oxyacid, oxoacid, or ternary acid is an acid that contains oxygen. Specifically, it is a compound that contains hydrogen, oxygen, and at least one other element, with at least one hydrogen atom bonded to oxygen that can dissociate to produce ...
of nitrogen, after
peroxynitrous acid
Peroxynitrous acid (HNO3) is a reactive nitrogen species (RNS). It is the conjugate acid of peroxynitrite (ONOO−). It has a p''K''a of approximately 6.8. It is formed ''in vivo'' from the diffusion-controlled reaction of nitrogen monoxide (ON ...
.
Preparation
Peroxynitrate
Peroxynitrate (or peroxonitrate) refers to salts of the unstable peroxynitric acid, HNO4. Peroxynitrate is unstable and decomposes to nitrate and dioxygen.
No solid peroxynitrate salts are known. However, there is a report that the Russian chemis ...
, the conjugate base of peroxynitric acid, is formed rapidly during decomposition of
peroxynitrite
Peroxynitrite (sometimes called peroxonitrite) is an ion with the formula ONOO−. It is a structural isomer of nitrate,
Preparation
Peroxynitrite can be prepared by the reaction of superoxide with nitric oxide:
:
It is prepared by the react ...
in neutral conditions.
Atmospheric chemistry
Peroxynitric acid is formed in the atmosphere, although it is unstable, it is important as a reservoir for NO
2 through the reversible radical reaction:
: +
References
Nitrogen oxoacids
Peroxy acids
Nitrogen(V) compounds
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