Nitric acid (CHEM002556)

IdentificationTaxonomyBiological PropertiesPhysical PropertiesToxicity ProfileSpectraConcentrationsLinksReferencesTargets (16)XML
Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-08-05 17:27:44 UTC
Update Date2026-04-14 20:32:28 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM002556
Identification
Common NameNitric acid
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionNitric acid (HNO3), also known as aqua fortis and spirit of niter, is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The pure compound is colorless, but older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to decomposition into oxides of nitrogen and water. Most commercially available nitric acid has a concentration of 68%. When the solution contains more than 86% HNO3, it is referred to as fuming nitric acid. Nitric acid is the primary reagent used for nitration - the addition of a nitro group, typically to an organic molecule. The main industrial use of nitric acid is for the production of fertilizers. Nitric acid is neutralized with ammonia to give ammonium nitrate. The other main applications are for the production of explosives, nylon precursors, and specialty organic compounds.
Contaminant Sources
  • Clean Air Act Chemicals
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • OECD HPV Chemicals
  • OSHA Hazardous Chemicals
  • STOFF IDENT Compounds
  • T3DB toxins
  • Tobacco Smoke Compounds
Contaminant Type
  • Household Toxin
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Inorganic Compound
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrite
  • Non-Metal
  • Synthetic Compound
Chemical Structure
Thumb
MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI
Synonyms
ValueSource
[NO2(OH)]ChEBI
Acide azotiqueChEBI
Acide nitriqueChEBI
Azotic acidChEBI
HNO3ChEBI
HONO2ChEBI
Hydrogen nitrateChEBI
SalpetersaeureChEBI
Nitric acidKegg
AzotateGenerator
Hydrogen nitric acidGenerator
NitrateGenerator, KEGG
Acid, nitricMeSH
Chemical FormulaHNO3
Average Molecular Mass63.013 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass62.996 g/mol
CAS Registry Number7697-37-2
IUPAC Namenitric acid
Traditional Namenitric acid
SMILESO[N+]([O-])=O
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/HNO3/c2-1(3)4/h(H,2,3,4)
InChI KeyGRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as non-metal nitrates. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds containing a nitrate as its largest oxoanion.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassHomogeneous non-metal compounds
ClassNon-metal oxoanionic compounds
Sub ClassNon-metal nitrates
Direct ParentNon-metal nitrates
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Non-metal nitrate
  • Inorganic oxide
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
Applications
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical Roles
Physical Properties
StateLiquid
AppearanceColorless liquid
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point-42°C
Boiling Point83°C
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
logP0.028ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Acidic)-1.4ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Basic)-6.1ChemAxon
Physiological Charge-1ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count3ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count1ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area66.05 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity10.47 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability3.55 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleNoChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-03di-9000000000-75a0abe959565212ac4fSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-03di-9000000000-8e1d753ca100f3f6d92dSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-01ot-9000000000-f295c80752f82f542bfaSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-03di-9000000000-59f156be4bb354eb31f7Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-03di-9000000000-dbfc7b33c21beeeeb7e8Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-03dj-9000000000-a596b228780b7e6ae195Spectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureOral (5) ; inhalation (5)
Mechanism of ToxicityNitric acid is a corrosive acid and a powerful oxidizing agent. The major hazard posed by it is chemical burns as it carries out acid hydrolysis with proteins (amide) and fats (ester) which consequently decomposes living tissue (e.g. skin and flesh). Concentrated nitric acid stains human skin yellow due to its reaction with the keratin. These yellow stains turn orange when neutralized. Systemic effects are unlikely, however, and the substance is not considered a carcinogen or mutagen.
MetabolismIntake of some amount of nitrates and nitrites is a normal part of the nitrogen cycle in humans. In vivo conversion of nitrates to nitrites can occur in the gastrointestional tract under the right conditions, significantly enhancing nitrates' toxic potency. The major metabolic pathway for nitrate is conversion to nitrite, and then to ammonia. Nitrites, nitrates, and their metabolites are excreted in the urine. (5)
Toxicity ValuesLD50: 138 ppm over 30 minutes (Inhalation, Rat) (1)
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)Ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). (3)
Uses/SourcesThe main industrial use of nitric acid is for the production of fertilizers. Nitric acid is neutralized with ammonia to give ammonium nitrate. The other main applications are for the production of explosives, nylon precursors, and specialty organic compounds.
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsSkin contact with nitric acid can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns. Nitric acid may cause severe burns to the eye and permanent eye damage. Severe and rapid corrosive burns of the mouth, gullet and gastrointestinal tract will result if nitric acid is swallowed. Symptoms include burning, choking, nausea, vomiting and severe pain.
SymptomsSkin contact can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns. Nitric acid may cause severe burns to the eye and permanent eye damage. Severe and rapid corrosive burns of the mouth, gullet and gastrointestinal tract will result if nitric acid is swallowed. Symptoms include burning, choking, nausea, vomiting and severe pain.
TreatmentThe mainstay of treatment of any acid burn is copious irrigation with large amounts of tap water. To be most effective, treatment should be started immediately after exposure, preferably before arrival in the emergency department. Remove any contaminated clothing. Do not attempt to neutralize the burn with weak reciprocal chemicals (i.e. alkali for acid burns), because the heat generated from the chemical reaction may cause severe thermal injury.
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDNot Available
FooDB IDNot Available
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDCPD-15028
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkNitric_acid
Chemspider IDNot Available
ChEBI ID48107
PubChem Compound IDNot Available
Kegg Compound IDC00244
YMDB IDNot Available
ECMDB IDECMDB02878
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22285512
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23402861