- published: 04 Jun 2009
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Nitric acid (HNO3), also known as aqua fortis and spirit of niter, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong mineral acid which is normally colorless but tends to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen if long-stored. Ordinary nitric acid has a concentration of 68%. When the solution contains more than 86% HNO3, it is referred to as fuming nitric acid. Depending on the amount of nitrogen dioxide present, fuming nitric acid is further characterized as white fuming nitric acid or red fuming nitric acid, at concentrations above 95%. Nitric acid is also commonly used as a strong oxidizing agent.
Pure anhydrous nitric acid (100%) is a colorless mobile liquid with a density of 1.512 g/cm3 which solidifies at −42 °C to form white crystals and boils at 83 °C. Anhydrous nitric acid should be stored below 0 °C to avoid decomposition.
The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) remains dissolved in the nitric acid coloring it yellow, or red at higher temperatures. While the pure acid tends to give off white fumes when exposed to air, acid with dissolved nitrogen dioxide gives off reddish-brown vapors, leading to the common name "red fuming acid" or "fuming nitric acid". Fuming nitric acid is also referred to as 16 molar nitric acid. It is the most concentrated form of nitric acid at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP).
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