Calcium nitrate

Calcium nitrate, also known as Norwegian saltpeter, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is Ca(NO3)2. It contains calcium and nitrate ions.

Calcium nitrate
Calcium nitrate.png
Dusičnan vápenatý.JPG
Other names Kalksalpeter, nitrocalcite, Norwegian saltpeter, lime nitrate
Identifiers
CAS number 10124-37-5
PubChem 24963
RTECS number EW2985000
SMILES [Ca+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Molecular formula Ca(NO3)2
Molar mass 164.088 g/mol (anhydrous)
236.15 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance colorless solid
hygroscopic
Density 2.504 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
1.896 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate)
Melting point

561 °C, 834 K, 1042 °F

Boiling point
Solubility in water anhydrous:
1212 g/L (20 °C)
2710 g/L (40 °C)
tetrahydrate:
1050 g/L (0 °C)
1290 g/L (20 °C)
3630 g/L (100 °C)
Solubility soluble in ammonia
almost insoluble in nitric acid
Solubility in ethanol 51.4 g/100 g (20 °C)
62.9 g/100 g (40 °C)[1]
Solubility in methanol 134 g/100 g (10 °C)
144 g/100 g (40 °C)
158 g/100 g (60 °C)[1]
Solubility in acetone 16.8 g/kg (20 °C)[1]
Acidity (pKa) 6.0
-45.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure cubic (anhydrous)
monoclinic (tetrahydrate)
Hazards
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

0
2
1
 
R-phrases R22, R41
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions Calcium sulfate
Calcium chloride
Other cations Magnesium nitrate
Strontium nitrate
Barium nitrate
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Properties

Calcium nitrate is a colorless solid. It is an oxidizing agent. It absorbs water from the air. It decomposes to make nitrogen dioxide and calcium oxide when heated.

Preparation

Calcium nitrate is made by reacting calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate with nitric acid. It is made when nitric acid reacts with calcium phosphate. It can be made by reacting ammonium nitrate and calcium hydroxide.

Uses

Calcium nitrate is used in fertilizers to add nitrogen to the soil. It can be complexed with urea to make a different nitrogen fertilizer.

Calcium Nitrate Media

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anatolievich, Kiper Ruslan. "Properties of substance: calcium nitrate". Retrieved 2015-09-09.

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