Potassium nitrateNames IUPAC namePotassium nitrateOther names SaltpeterSaltpetreIndian SaltpetreNitrate of potashNitreIdentifiers CAS Number7757-79-13D model (JSmol)Interactive imageChEMBLChEMBL1644029ChemSpider22843ECHA InfoCard100.028.926EC Number231-818-8E numberE252 (preservatives)KEGGD02051PubChemCID24434RTECS numberTT3700000UNIIRU45X2JN0ZUN number1486 CompTox Dashboard(EPA)DTXSID4029692InChIInChI=1S/K.NO3/c;2-1(3)4/q+1;-1Key: FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYSA-NInChI=1/K.NO3/c;2-1(3)4/q+1;-1Key: FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYAMSMILES[K+].[O-][N+]([O-])=OProperties Chemical formulaKNO3Molar mass101.102 g·mol Appearance white solid Odorodorless Density2.109 g/cm (16 °C (61 °F; 289 K)) Melting point334 °C (633 °F; 607 K) Boiling point400 °C (752 °F; 673 K) (decomposes) Solubility in water133 g/L (0 °C (32 °F; 273 K))316 g/L (20 °C (68 °F; 293 K))383 g/L (25 °C (77 °F; 298 K))2439 g/L (100 °C (212 °F; 373 K))Solubilityslightly soluble in ethanol soluble in glycerol, ammoniaBasicity (pKb) 15.3 Magnetic susceptibility (χ)−33.7×10 cm/molRefractive index (nD)1.3351.50561.5604Structure Crystal structureOrthorhombic, AragoniteThermochemistry Heat capacity(C)95.06 J⋅mol·KStd enthalpy offormation(ΔfH298)−494.00 kJ⋅molHazards GHS labelling: PictogramsSignal wordWarningHazard statementsH272Precautionary statementsP210, P220, P221, P280, P370+P378, P501NFPA 704 (fire diamond) 112OXFlash pointnon-flammable (oxidizer) Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): LD50 (median dose)1901 mg/kg (oral, rabbit)3750 mg/kg (oral, rat)Safety data sheet (SDS) ICSC 0184Related compounds Other anionsPotassium nitriteOther cationsLithium nitrateSodium nitrateCalcium nitrateRubidium nitrateStrontium nitrateSilver nitrateCaesium nitrateBarium nitrateAmmonium nitrateRelated compoundsPotassium chloridePotassium sulfateSupplementary data page Potassium nitrate (data page)Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).Nverify ( ?)
NatronNatron is a naturally occurring mixture of sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3·10H2O, a kind of soda ash) and around 17% sodium bicarbonate (also called baking soda, NaHCO3) along with small quantities of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. Natron is white to colourless when pure, varying to gray or yellow with impurities. Natron deposits are sometimes found in saline lake beds which arose in arid environments.Saltpeter (other)Saltpeter (or saltpetre) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate (KNO3), a chemical compound.
CarbonateA carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid (H2CO3), characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, a polyatomic ion with the formula CO3. The word "carbonate" may also refer to a carbonate ester, an organic compound containing the carbonate groupO=C(−O−)2.
GuanoGuano (Spanish from Quechua: wanu) is the accumulated excrement of seabirds or bats. Guano is a highly effective fertiliser due to the high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, all key nutrients essential for plant growth. Guano was also, to a lesser extent, sought for the production of gunpowder and other explosive materials. The 19th-century seabird guano trade played a pivotal role in the development of modern input-intensive farming.
GunpowderType of firearm propellantGunpowder for muzzleloading firearms in granulation sizeAmerican Civil Warre-enactorsvolley firing with black powderFlash pan starter dispenserGunpowder, referred to as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, charcoal (which is mostly carbon), and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels, while the saltpeter is an oxidizer.
Nitric acidNames IUPAC nameNitric acidOther names Aqua fortisSpirit of niterEau forteHydrogen nitrateAcidum nitricumIdentifiers CAS Number7697-37-23D model (JSmol)Interactive imageInteractive imageChEBICHEBI:48107ChEMBLChEMBL1352ChemSpider919ECHA InfoCard100.028.832EC Number231-714-2Gmelin Reference1576 KEGGD02313MeSHNitric+acidPubChemCID944RTECS numberQU5775000UNII411VRN1TV4UN number2031 CompTox Dashboard(EPA)DTXSID5029685InChIInChI=1S/HNO3/c2-1(3)4/h(H,2,3,4)Key: GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-NInChI=1/HNO3/c2-1(3)4/h(H,2,3,4)Key: GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYAOSMILES[N+](=O)(O)[O-]ON(=O)=OProperties Chemical formulaHNO3Molar mass63.012 g·mol Appearance Colorless liquid OdorAcrid, suffocating Density1.51 g/cm, 1.41 g/cm [68% w/w] Melting point−42 °C (−44 °F; 231 K) Boiling point83 °C (181 °F; 356 K) 68% solution boils at 121 °C (250 °F; 394 K) Solubility in waterMiscible log P−0.13 Vapor pressure48 mmHg (20 °C) Acidity (pKa) −1.4 Conjugate baseNitrateMagnetic susceptibility (χ)−1.99×10 cm/molRefractive index (nD)1.397 (16.5 °C) Dipole moment2.17 ± 0.02 D Thermochemistry Std molarentropy(S298)146 J/(mol·K) Std enthalpy offormation(ΔfH298)−207 kJ/mol Hazards GHS labelling: PictogramsSignal wordDangerHazard statementsH272, H290, H314, H331Precautionary statementsP210, P220, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340+P310, P305+P351+P338NFPA 704 (fire diamond) 302OXFlash pointNon-flammable Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): LC50 (median concentration)138 ppm (rat, 30 min) NIOSH (US health exposure limits): PEL (Permissible)TWA 2 ppm (5 mg/m) REL (Recommended)TWA 2 ppm (5 mg/m)ST 4 ppm (10 mg/m) IDLH (Immediate danger)25 ppm Safety data sheet (SDS) ICSC 0183Related compounds Other anionsNitrous acidOther cationsSodium nitratePotassium nitrateAmmonium nitrateRelated compoundsDinitrogen trioxideDinitrogen tetroxideDinitrogen pentoxideNitrogen oxideNitrogen monoxideNitrogen dioxideExcept where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).Yverify ( ?)
SodiumChemical element with atomic number 11 (Na)Li↑Na↓Kneon ← sodium → magnesium
PotassiumNa↑K↓Rbargon ← potassium → calcium
NitrogenChemical element with atomic number 7 (N)–↑N↓Pcarbon ← nitrogen → oxygen
FertilizerSubstance added to soil to enhance plant growthA farmer spreading manure to improve soil fertilityFertilizer use in kg per hectare of arable landA fertilizer or fertiliser is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced.
NitratePolyatomic ion (NO3, charge –1) found in explosives and fertilisers*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.