Nitric Acid
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Nitric acid is used in the production of ammonium nitrate for fertilizers, making plastics, and in the manufacture of dyes. It is also used for making explosives such as nitroglycerin and TNT. When it is combined with hydrochloric acid, an element called aqua regia is formed. This is a reagent that is capable of dissolving gold and platinum. Additionally, it is used in a colorimetric test to distinguish heroin and morphine. Nitric acid is commonly used in science laboratories at schools for experimenting when specifically testing for chloride. This is accomplished by adding a sample with silver nitrate solution and nitric acid to test if a white precipitate, silver chloride is present. In the field of medicine, nitric acid is used in its pure state as a caustic to remove chancres and warts. Diluted solutions are used in the treatment of dyspepsia. Nitric acid has been used in various forms as the oxidizer in liquid–fueled rockets. These forms include red fuming nitric acid, white fuming nitric acid, mixtures with sulfuric acid, and forms with HF inhibitor. It is also typically used in the digestion process of turbid water samples, solid sludge samples, as well as other types of unique samples that require elemental analysis via ICP-MS, ICP-OES, ICP-AES, GFAA and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In organic synthesis, nitric acid may be used to introduce the nitro group. When used with sulfuric acid, it generates the nitronium ion, which electrophilically reacts with aromatic compounds such as benzene. In electrochemistry, nitric acid is used as a chemical doping agent for organic semiconductors, and in purification processes for raw carbon nanotubes. In a low concentration, nitric acid is often used in woodworking to artificially age pine and maple. The color produced is a gray–gold, very much like very old wax or oil-finished wood. Nitric acid can be used as a spot test for alkaloids like LSD, producing a variety of colors, depending on the alkaloid |
Description | ||
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Nitric acid belongs to the group of inorganic acids. It is both extremely corrosive and toxic. Consequently, direct contact can result in severe burns. Nitric acid is colorless when pure but has a yellowish appearance when it is old due to the collection of nitrogen oxides. Upon distillation, nitric acid in its pure form begins to boil at 78.2°C and becomes solid when it is well cooled. Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. It ionizes readily in solution, forming a good conductor of electricity. It reacts with metals, oxides, and hydroxides, forming nitrate salts. Chief uses of nitric acid are in the preparation of fertilizers, e.g., ammonium nitrate, and explosives, e.g., nitroglycerin and trinitrotoluene (TNT). It is also used in the manufacture of chemicals, e.g., in making dyes, and in metallurgy, ore flotation, etching steel, photoengraving, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Nitric acid is produced chiefly by oxidation of ammonia through the Ostwald process. Small amounts are produced by the treatment of sodium nitrate with sulfuric acid. Nitric acid is also a component of acid rain. |
Product Properties
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Documents
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General Info
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Published | ||
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Sep 10, 2022 |
Last Edited | ||
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Sep 10, 2022 |
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Chemicals |
