Strontium nitrate

Strontium nitrate is an inorganic compound composed of the elements strontium, nitrogen and oxygen with the formula Sr(NO₃)₂. This colorless solid is used as a red colorant and oxidizer in pyrotechnics.

Strontium nitrate

Names
IUPAC name Strontium nitrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	10042-76-9^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	23231^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.107
EC Number	233-131-9
PubChem CID	24848
UNII	BDG873AQZL^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9064924
InChI InChI=1S/2NO3.Sr/c2*2-1(3)4;/q2*-1;+2^Y Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y InChI=1/2NO3.Sr/c2*2-1(3)4;/q2*-1;+2 Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYAG
SMILES [Sr+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Chemical formula	Sr(NO3)2
Molar mass	211.630 g/mol (anhydrous) 283.69 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance	white crystalline solid
Density	2.986 g/cm^3 (anhydrous) 2.20 g/cm^3 (tetrahydrate)^[page needed]
Melting point	570 °C (1,058 °F) (anhydrous) 100 °C (212 °F), decomposes (tetrahydrate)
Boiling point	645 °C (1,193 °F; 918 K) decomposes
Solubility in water	anhydrous: 710 g/L (18 °C (64 °F)) 660 g/L (20 °C (68 °F)) tetrahydrate: 604.3 g/L (0 °C (32 °F)) 2065 g/L (100 °C (212 °F))
Solubility in ammonia	soluble
Solubility in ethanol	slightly soluble
Solubility in acetone	slightly soluble
Solubility in nitric acid	insoluble
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	57.2×10^−6 cm^3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic (anhydrous) monoclinic (tetrahydrate)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Irritant
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 0 0 OX
Flash point	Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	2750 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Safety data sheet (SDS)	[1]
Related compounds
Other anions	Strontium carbonate Strontium chloride Strontium sulfate
Other cations	Beryllium nitrate Magnesium nitrate Calcium nitrate Barium nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is ^YN ?) Infobox references

Preparation

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

2 HNO₃ + SrCO₃ → Sr(NO₃)₂ + H₂O + CO₂

Uses

Like many other strontium salts, strontium nitrate is used to produce a rich red flame in fireworks and road flares. Its strength as an oxidizer, which eliminates the need for large amounts of an additional chlorine-containing oxidizer, makes extremely pure colors in the orange-red to red color range attainable with simple compositions.

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.

Biochemistry

As a divalent ion with an ionic radius similar to that of Ca²⁺ (1.13 Å and 0.99 Å respectively), Sr²⁺ ions mimic calcium's ability to traverse calcium-selective ion channels and trigger neurotransmitter release from nerve endings. It is thus used in electrophysiology experiments.^{[citation needed]}