Strontium nitrate

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Strontium nitrate
Strontium nitrate sample Petri dish.jpg
Strontium nitrate sample
Names
IUPAC name
Strontium nitrate
Preferred IUPAC name
Strontium nitrate
Other names
Strontium dinitrate
Properties
Sr(NO3)2
Molar mass 211.630 g/mol (anhydrous)
283.69 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance White crystalline solid
Odor Odorless
Density 2.986 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
2.20 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate)
Melting point anhydrous
570 °C (1,058 °F; 843 K)
tetrahydrate
100 °C (212 °F; 273 K) (decomposes)
Boiling point 645 °C (1,193 °F; 918 K) (decomposes)
anhydrous
40.1 g/100 ml (0 °C)
71 g/100 ml (18 °C)
66 g/100 ml (20 °C)
100 g/100 ml (90 °C)
tetrahydrate
60.43 g/100 ml (0 °C)
206.5 g/100 ml (100 °C)
Solubility Soluble in anh. ammonia
Very slightly soluble in acetone, ethanol, methanol
Insoluble in nitric acid
Solubility in ethanol 0.012 g/100 ml
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich (anhydrous)
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2750 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Calcium nitrate
Magnesium nitrate
Barium nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Strontium nitrate is an inorganic compound with the formula Sr(NO3)2. It is available in anhydrous and hydrated forms. This compound is used as a red colorant and oxidizer in pyrotechnics.

Properties

Chemical

Strontium nitrate, when mixed with a powdered flammable material, like aluminium, will rapidly burn with a red flame, which allows the salt to be used in pyrotechnic mixtures.

Sr(NO3)2 + 2 Al → Al2O3 + SrO + N2

Heating strontium nitrate above 5-600 °C will cause it to decompose, releasing nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.

Sr(NO3)2 → SrO + 2 NO2 + ½ O2

Physical

Strontium nitrate is a white solid, very soluble in water, but less soluble in organic solvents.

Availability

Strontium nitrate is sold by chemical suppliers.

Can also be extracted from red flame producing fireworks, though it's a lot of work.

Preparation

Strontium nitrate is typically generated by the reaction of nitric acid on strontium carbonate.

2 HNO3 + SrCO3 → Sr(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2

Projects

  • Oxidizer
  • Make red flame
  • Source of strontium ions
  • Make anti-skin irritation topic

Handling

Safety

The human body absorbs strontium as if it were its lighter counterpart calcium. Because the elements are chemically very similar, strontium do not pose a significant health threat.

Strontium nitrate can aid in eliminating and lessening skin irritations. When mixed with glycolic acid, strontium nitrate reduces the sensation of skin irritation significantly better than using glycolic acid alone.

Storage

Strontium nitrate should be stored in plastic or glass containers or bottles, away from acids and any flammable materials.

Disposal

Strontium has low toxicity, and doesn't require special neutralization or disposal. Could be used as soil fertilizer, though it's expensive for such use.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads