Potassium nitrite

Potassium nitrite
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.028.939 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 231-832-4
E number E249 (preservatives)
RTECS number
  • TT3750000
UNII
UN number 1488
  • InChI=1S/K.HNO2/c;2-1-3/h;(H,2,3)/q+1;/p-1 checkY
    Key: BXNHTSHTPBPRFX-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/K.HNO2/c;2-1-3/h;(H,2,3)/q+1;/p-1
    Key: BXNHTSHTPBPRFX-REWHXWOFAI
  • [K+].[O-]N=O
Properties
KNO2
Molar mass 85.10379 g/mol
Appearance white or slight yellow solid
deliquescent
Density 1.914986 g/cm3
Melting point 440.02 °C (824.04 °F; 713.17 K) (decomposes)
Boiling point 537 °C (999 °F; 810 K) (explodes)
281 g/100 mL (0 °C)
312 g/100 mL (25 °C)
413 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility soluble in alcohol, ammonia
−23.3·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermochemistry
107.4 J/mol K
-369.8 kJ/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS03: OxidizingGHS06: ToxicGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H272, H301, H400
P210, P220, P221, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P310, P321, P330, P370+P378, P391, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
235 mg/kg
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Other anions
Potassium nitrate
Other cations
Sodium nitrite
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Potassium nitrite (distinct from potassium nitrate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula KNO2. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrite ions NO2, which forms a white or slightly yellow, hygroscopic crystalline powder that is soluble in water.[1]

It is a strong oxidizer and may accelerate the combustion of other materials. Like other nitrite salts such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite is toxic if swallowed, and laboratory tests suggest that it may be mutagenic or teratogenic. Gloves and safety glasses are usually used when handling potassium nitrite.

  1. ^ Santa Cruz Biotechnology. "Potassium Nitrite Materials and Safety Sheet". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)