Saltpeter solubility

Nitrate, Potassium nitrate, [CAS 7757-79-1], saltpeter, niter, KNO3. white solid, soluble, mp 333°C, formed by fractional crystallization of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride solutions. Used Cl) in matches, explosives, pyrotechnics, (2) in the pickling of meat. (3) in glass, (4) in medicines, (5) as a rocket-fuel oxidizer, and (6) in the heal treatment of steel. See also Fertilizer. 

Nitrate. Sodium nitrate, nitrate of soda, Chile saltpeter, caliche, [CAS 7631-99-4], NaN03, white solid, soluble, mp 308°C. source in nature is Chile, in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen HN03 is frequently transformed by sodium carbonate into sodium nitrate, and the solution evaporated. Used tl) as an important nitrogenous fertilizer, (2) as a source of nitrate and HNO3, (3) in pyrotechnics, (4) in fluxes,... 

In many nitrations, for example, of primary amines, the nitric acid must be completely tree from nitrous acid in such cases, before the nitric acid is used, or before it is mixed with the sulfuric acid, it should be freed from nitric oxide by blowing air through it (cf. nitration of p-toluidine, page 165). It is also possible to add saltpeter, instead of nitric acid, to the sulfuric acid solution this procedure is less satisfactory, however, because saltpeter is not readily soluble in uliFuric acid at low temperatures, and a steady reaction is hard to maintain. 

Sodium nitrate occurs in nature. But this material is soluble in water, and is only obtained in desert regions where rainfall is low in the desert spreading over the east coast of the Pacific Ocean in South America, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. The layer, rich in sodium covering the earth, is called Caliche. This is a white mass which contains 15/ 80% sodium nitrate, less than GOP/o sodium chloride, less than 10 o sodium sulphate, other nitrates, calcium chloride, aluminium sulphate, calcium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, iodates etc. The product is called Chile Saltpeter. 

It occurs as 1 in seawater and as an impurity in Chile saltpeter, KNO3. The best source is the brine from oil wells. Elemental iodine is produced from brine wells by the oxidation of I by CB. Elemental iodine is slightly soluble in water, but it dissolves well in iodide solutions because it reacts with aqueous I to form the triodide ion, 13 . 

Properties Crystalline powder, saltpeter taste. D 3.687, mp 414C, bp (decomposes). Soluble in water and acetone slightly soluble in alcohol. 

Properties Colorless crystals or white powder odorless, saltpeter-like taste. D 0.9862, mp 49C, bp 180C. Solutions neutral to litmus. Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, glycerol, and chloroform slightly soluble in olive oil. Combustible. 

Calcium dinitrate Calcium nitrate Calcium saltpeter Calcium(ll) nitrate (1 2) EINECS 233-332-1 HSDB 967 Ume nitrate Ume saltpeter Nitric xid, calcium salt Nltrxalcite Norge saltpeter Norway saltpeter Norwegian saltpeter Saltpeter Synfat 1006 UN14M W l saltpeter. Usually crystallizes as the tetrahydrate [13477-344] or the trihydrale [15M2-292]. Used to support combustion in matches, explosives, as a fertilizer and corrosion inhibitor. Solid mp = 560 very soluble in H2O, MeOH, EtOH, MezCO, inxiuble in other organic solvents. 

Discussion The source of the nitrates of commerce is Chili saltpeter, NaNOg. Although potassium nitrate is a soluble salt it can be prepared from sodium nitrate by a double decomposition which takes place according to the reaction represented by the following equation ... 

Sodium nitrate, also known as Chile saltpeter and soda niter, has a molecular formula of NaN03 Sodium nitrate is a colorless, odorless, transparent crystal. It oxidizes when exposed to air and is soluble in water. This material explodes at lOOOT, much lower than temperatures encountered in many fires. Sodium lutrate is toxic by ingestion, and has caused cancer in test animals. When used in the curing of fish and meat products, it is restricted to 100 ppm. Sodium nitrate is incompatible with ammonium nitrate and other ammonium salts. The four-digit UN identification number is 1498. Sodium nitrate is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoiung and in the curing of fish and meat. 

Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) has a molecular formula of KNOj. It is found as a transparent to white crystalline powder and as crystals. Potassium nitrate is water-soluble and is a dangerous fire and explosion risk when heated or shocked or in contact with organic materials. It is a strong oxidizing agent, with a four-digit UN identification number of 1486. Potassium nitrate is used in the manufacture of pyrotechnics, explosives, and matches. It is often used in the illegal manufacture of homemade pyrotechnics and explosives. 

Sodium and potassium are about equally abundant in nature. They occur in silicate minerals such as albite (NaAlSisOs) and orthoclase (KAlSisOg). Over long periods of time (on a geologic scale), silicate minerals are slowly decomposed by wind and rain, and their sodium and potassium ions are converted to more soluble compounds. Eventually rain leaches these compounds out of the soil and carries them to the sea. Yet when we look at the composition of seawater, we find that the concentration ratio of sodium to potassium is about 28 to 1. The reason for this uneven distribution is that potassium is essential to plant growth, while sodium is not. Plants take up many of the potassium ions along the way, while sodium ions are free to move on to the sea. Other minerals that contain sodium or potassium are halite (NaCl), shown in Figure 20.13, Chile saltpeter (NaNOs), and sylvite (KCl). Sodium chloride is also obtained from rock salt (see p. 373). 

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