NITRIC ACID

Nitric Acid is a strong inorganic acid and powerful oxidizing agent widely used for nitration chemistry, metal processing, fertilizer manufacture, and industrial cleaning and etching.
Nitric Acid provides rapid pH reduction and strong oxidizing behavior, and Nitric Acid is valued for producing nitrate salts and for dissolving or passivating many metals under controlled conditions.
Nitric Acid must be handled with extreme care because Nitric Acid is highly corrosive, can cause severe burns and eye damage, and can react violently with organic materials and reducing agents while releasing toxic nitrogen oxides.

CAS Number: 7697-37-2
EC Number: 231-714-2
Molecular Formula: HNO3
Molecular Weight: 63.01 g/mol

Synonyms: Nitric Acid, HNO3, Aqua Fortis (historical), Nitric Acid Solution, Concentrated Nitric Acid, Fuming Nitric Acid (concentration dependent), Nitrating Acid, Nitrate Acid, Nitric Acid Reagent Grade, Nitric Acid Technical Grade, Nitric Acid Oxidizing Acid, Nitric Acid Etchant, Nitric Acid, NITRIC ACID, Nitric acid, HNO3, HNO₃ (format variant), Aqua Fortis, Aqua fortis, Spirit of Nitre, Spirit of nitre, Hydrogen Nitrate (aqueous) (descriptive), Hydrogen nitrate solution (descriptive), Nitric Acid Solution, Nitric acid solution, Nitric Acid Concentrate, Concentrated Nitric Acid, Fuming Nitric Acid, White Fuming Nitric Acid, Red Fuming Nitric Acid, RFNA (Red Fuming Nitric Acid), WFNA (White Fuming Nitric Acid), Nitric Acid Anhydrous (rare/handling context), Nitric Acid 68%, Nitric Acid 65%, Nitric Acid 70%, Nitric Acid 98% (fuming context), Nitric Acid Technical Grade, Nitric Acid Industrial Grade, Nitric Acid Reagent, Nitric Acid Analytical Grade, Nitric Acid Laboratory Grade, Nitric Acid ACS, Nitric Acid AR, Nitric Acid GR, Nitric Acid LR, Nitric Acid Semiconductor Grade (use context), Electronic Grade Nitric Acid (use context), Nitric Acid (CAS 7697-37-2), CAS 7697-37-2, Nitric Acid (EC 231-714-2) (common listing), EC 231-714-2, Nitric Acid (EINECS 231-714-2), Nitric Acid (EINECS 231-714-2) (variant), Nitric Acid (acidity regulator) (use context), Nitric Acid (oxidizing acid), Oxidizing Acid (Nitric Acid), Nitrating Acid (Nitric Acid)

APPLICATIONS

Nitric Acid is used in fertilizer production to manufacture nitrate fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate in controlled industrial processes.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into nitric acid neutralization steps to produce nitrate salts with defined composition.
Nitric Acid is used in fertilizer plants as a key upstream chemical for nitrogen nutrient value chains.

Nitric Acid is used in nitration reactions to introduce nitro groups into aromatic compounds for dyes, explosives intermediates, and specialty chemicals.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into mixed-acid nitration systems with sulfuric acid to control reaction rate and water balance.
Nitric Acid is used in fine chemical manufacture to produce nitro intermediates for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals under strict process control.

Nitric Acid is used in metal pickling and cleaning to remove oxides, scale, and contaminants from stainless steel and other metals in compatible processes.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into passivation treatments for stainless steel to improve corrosion resistance by forming stable oxide layers.
Nitric Acid is used in etching and surface preparation for metal finishing and plating operations.

Nitric Acid is used in electronics and semiconductor processing for wafer cleaning and etching in specialized controlled environments.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into wet processing steps to remove metals and residues in microfabrication workflows.
Nitric Acid is used in PCB manufacturing and component cleaning where strong oxidizing acid cleaning is required.

Nitric Acid is used in laboratories for sample digestion and preparation for elemental analysis such as ICP and AAS.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into trace metal analysis workflows because Nitric Acid dissolves many metals and helps oxidize organics.
Nitric Acid is used in environmental testing for digestion of soils, sludges, and biological samples.

Nitric Acid is used in industrial cleaning to remove mineral deposits and to oxidize organic residues in compatible equipment and surfaces.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into CIP and descaling protocols only under validated safety and material compatibility conditions.
Nitric Acid is used in heat exchanger and process equipment cleaning where controlled acid cleaning improves performance.

Nitric Acid is used in water treatment and chemical manufacturing as a reagent to adjust acidity and to produce nitrate salts.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into pH adjustment where nitrate ions are acceptable and oxidation risk is controlled.
Nitric Acid is used in chemical synthesis as a strong acid and oxidizer for specialized transformations.

Nitric Acid is used in rocket propellant and energetic materials chemistry, but Nitric Acid handling in these contexts requires specialized licensing, facilities, and strict controls.
Nitric Acid is incorporated into industrial energetic chemistry only in regulated operations with engineered safeguards.
Nitric Acid is used in research settings under strict oversight where nitration and oxidizing acid handling are properly controlled.

Nitric Acid is valued because Nitric Acid provides strong acidity and oxidizing power for nitration, metal processing, and analytical sample preparation, but only when rigorous safety procedures and compatible materials are used.

Nitric Acid is used in chemical manufacturing as a strong acid for neutralization and salt formation.
Nitric Acid supports production of nitrate salts for industrial and laboratory use.
Nitric Acid helps convert metal oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates into nitrates.

Nitric Acid is used in production of metal nitrates for catalysts and ceramic precursors.
Nitric Acid supports manufacture of copper nitrate, nickel nitrate, and similar salts in controlled processes.
Nitric Acid helps supply soluble metal sources for materials synthesis.

Nitric Acid is used in water treatment to control pH and alkalinity in specific industrial systems.
Nitric Acid supports neutralization of alkaline waste streams prior to discharge or downstream treatment.
Nitric Acid helps maintain target pH in process water loops when properly dosed.

Nitric Acid is used in wastewater treatment plants for pH adjustment and process control.
Nitric Acid supports neutralization before precipitation, filtration, or biological treatment steps.
Nitric Acid helps improve compliance with discharge pH requirements in regulated operations.

Nitric Acid is used in laboratory sample preparation for digestion of metals and minerals.
Nitric Acid supports preparation of samples for ICP, AAS, and other elemental analysis methods.
Nitric Acid helps solubilize metals into nitrate form for accurate measurement.

Nitric Acid is used in environmental testing labs to preserve water samples for metals analysis.
Nitric Acid helps stabilize dissolved metals by preventing precipitation and adsorption.
Nitric Acid supports consistent analytical results during transport and storage.

Nitric Acid is used in semiconductor and high-purity industries where ultra-clean acids are required.
Nitric Acid supports precision cleaning of equipment and surfaces in controlled environments.
Nitric Acid helps minimize trace contamination in high-purity manufacturing processes.

Nitric Acid is used in production of pigments and inorganic colorants via nitrate intermediates.
Nitric Acid supports controlled precipitation and particle formation in some pigment routes.
Nitric Acid helps tune purity and crystal properties in inorganic pigment manufacturing.

Nitric Acid is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing as a process reagent for pH control and cleaning validation in some steps.
Nitric Acid supports equipment cleaning to remove inorganic residues when compatible.
Nitric Acid helps control salt forms and ionic environment in certain process solutions.

DESCRIPTION

Nitric Acid is a strong inorganic acid with the formula HNO3.
Nitric Acid is typically a clear, colorless to yellowish liquid depending on dissolved nitrogen oxides.
Nitric Acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns on contact with skin or eyes.

Nitric Acid is a strong oxidizing acid, especially at higher concentrations.
Nitric Acid can react vigorously with many organic materials and reducing agents.
Nitric Acid can produce toxic nitrogen oxide fumes, so ventilation is critical.

Nitric Acid is fully miscible with water and releases significant heat during dilution.
Nitric Acid should be diluted by adding acid to water to control splashing and heat release.
Nitric Acid concentration and temperature strongly influence reactivity and fuming tendency.

Nitric Acid reacts with metals to form nitrate salts, with reaction behavior depending on metal type and conditions.
Nitric Acid is a strong mineral acid that is typically supplied as a clear, colorless to yellowish liquid, and concentrated Nitric Acid can fume and release nitrogen oxides that appear as brown fumes.

Nitric Acid is both corrosive and oxidizing, and Nitric Acid can react violently with many organic materials, reducing agents, and some metals, creating fire, heat, and toxic gas hazards.
Nitric Acid can nitrate organic compounds and oxidize many substances, so Nitric Acid use requires careful segregation, compatibility checks, and controlled addition protocols.

Nitric Acid reacts with bases to form nitrate salts, and neutralization is strongly exothermic, so acid should be added to water and bases slowly with cooling.
Nitric Acid can passivate certain metals such as stainless steel under controlled conditions, but Nitric Acid can aggressively attack other metals, producing nitrogen oxides.
Nitric Acid requires corrosion-resistant storage materials and secondary containment, and ventilation is important to prevent accumulation of nitrogen oxide fumes.

Nitric Acid should be stored in tightly closed, vented, acid-resistant containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from sunlight.
Nitric Acid must be kept away from organics, solvents, bases, reducing agents, and combustible materials.
Nitric Acid must be handled only by trained personnel, and emergency eyewash and shower facilities should be available near use areas.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Formula: HNO3
Molecular Weight: 63.01 g/mol
Common Name: Nitric Acid
Chemical Type: Strong inorganic acid; oxidizing acid
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid (concentration dependent)
Odor: Sharp, acrid acid odor; may fume
Solubility: Completely miscible with water
pH: Strongly acidic (concentration dependent)
Oxidizing Strength: Strong oxidizer; can nitrate and oxidize organics
Corrosivity: Highly corrosive; causes severe burns and eye damage
Fuming: Concentrated grades can fume and release nitrogen oxides
Reactivity: Violent reactions with organics, reducers, bases, and some metals; releases toxic NOx
Storage Temperature: 5–25°C, acid cabinet or oxidizer-rated storage, well ventilated
Shelf Life: Typically 12–24 months depending on concentration and storage (supplier dependent)

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air immediately if fumes are inhaled.
Seek immediate medical attention if coughing, breathing difficulty, or chest tightness occurs.
Monitor for delayed pulmonary effects because nitrogen oxides can cause delayed lung injury.

Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing immediately and rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Do not attempt neutralization on the skin.
Seek immediate medical attention for burns, persistent pain, or discoloration.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek immediate medical attention because Nitric Acid can cause severe eye injury.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.
Give small amounts of water if the person is conscious and not convulsing.
Seek immediate medical attention.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically and monitor respiratory function for delayed effects.
Consider exposure to nitrogen oxides and corrosive injury to mucous membranes.
Provide supportive care and manage burns according to clinical protocols.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including acid-resistant gloves, chemical goggles plus face shield, and protective clothing.
Avoid breathing fumes and avoid splashing, and use secondary containment during transfer.
Always add acid to water, not water to acid, to reduce heat and splatter risk.

Ventilation:
Use local exhaust ventilation where fumes may be generated.
Use closed transfer systems where possible to minimize vapor exposure.
Avoid confined spaces without adequate airflow and gas monitoring if required.

Storage:
Store in acid-resistant, tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area with secondary containment.
Segregate from organics, solvents, bases, reducing agents, cyanides, sulfides, and combustibles.
Store as an oxidizing acid according to facility rules and keep away from heat and direct sunlight.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Evacuate area and ventilate, and eliminate incompatible materials nearby.
Contain spill using acid-resistant barriers and neutralize only if trained and permitted by site procedures.
Collect residues for disposal according to hazardous waste rules and prevent release to drains if regulated.

Handling Precautions:
Verify materials of construction and avoid contact with incompatible metals and organic residues that can trigger violent reactions.
Plan for NOx fume control, emergency response, and eyewash/shower access before using Nitric Acid.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices and track concentration and container condition because oxidizing acids can degrade packaging over time.