Strontium nitrate

Strontium nitrate
Names
IUPAC name
Strontium nitrate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.107
EC Number
  • 233-131-9
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2NO3.Sr/c2*2-1(3)4;/q2*-1;+2 checkY
    Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/2NO3.Sr/c2*2-1(3)4;/q2*-1;+2
    Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYAG
  • [Sr+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Sr(NO3)2
Molar mass
  • 211.630 g/mol (anhydrous)
  • 283.69 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance white crystalline solid
Density
  • 2.986 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
  • 2.20 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate)[1]
Melting point
  • 570 °C (1,058 °F; 843 K) (anhydrous)[2]
  • 100 °C (212 °F; 373 K), decomposes (tetrahydrate)
Boiling point 645 °C (1,193 °F; 918 K)[2] decomposes
  • anhydrous:
    • 660–709 g/L (20 °C (68 °F; 293 K))[2][3]
  • tetrahydrate:
    • 604.3 g/L (0 °C (32 °F; 273 K))
    • 2065 g/L (100 °C (212 °F; 373 K))
Solubility in ammonia soluble
Solubility in ethanol slightly soluble
Solubility in acetone slightly soluble
log P 0.19[2]
57.2×10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
  • cubic (anhydrous)
  • monoclinic (tetrahydrate)
Hazards
GHS labelling:[2]
GHS03: OxidizingGHS05: Corrosive
Danger
H271, H318, H402
P210, P220, P221, P273, P280, P283, P305+P351+P338+P310, P306+P360, P370+P378, P371+P380+P375, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
[3]
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazard OX: Oxidizer. E.g. potassium perchlorate
2
0
2
OX
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2750 mg/kg (rat, oral)[3]
>4.5 mg/L (rat, 4h, inhalation)[3]
Related compounds
Other anions
Other cations
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)
Infobox references

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.

Preparation

Strontium nitrate is typically generated by the reaction of nitric acid with strontium carbonate.[4]

2 HNO3 + SrCO3 → Sr(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2
The reaction of nitric acid and strontium carbonate to form strontium nitrate

Uses

Like many other strontium salts, strontium nitrate is used to produce a rich red flame in fireworks and road flares. Unlike most other commonly used color-producing compounds,[a] strontium nitrate (along with other strontium compounds) emit light in almost the same range from their hydroxides and oxides as their chlorides, with the chlorides emitting a slightly deeper red.[6] Combined with strontium nitrate's high strength as an oxidizer, extremely pure colors in the orange-red to red color range are attainable with simple compositions using it as both oxidizer and colorant.[7][8]

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.[9]

Biochemistry

As a divalent ion with an ionic radius similar to that of Ca2+ (1.13 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.

Notes

  1. ^ See copper in particular, which can produce any of red, green, or blue / blue-violet depending on the active emitter in a flame.[5]

References

  1. ^ Patnaik P (2003). Handbook of inorganic chemicals. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sigma-Aldrich Co., Strontium Nitrate. Retrieved on 1 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d "Strontium Nitrate Anhydrous (Crystalline/Certified ACS), Fisher Chemical 100 g | Fisher Scientific". www.fishersci.com. ThermoFisher Scientific. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  4. ^ Ward, R., Osterheld, R. K., Rosenstein, R. D. "Strontium Sulfide and Selenide Phosphors". Inorganic Syntheses. Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 3. pp. 11–23. doi:10.1002/9780470132340.ch4. ISBN 978-0-470-13234-0.
  5. ^ Meyerriecks W, Kosanke K (2003). "Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (18): 15. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  6. ^ Ding D, Tabata D, Yoshida T (19 October 2009). "Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (28): 51–60. 0079. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  7. ^ MacMillan JP, Park JW, Gerstenberg R, Wagner H, Köhler K, Wallbrecht P. ""Strontium and Strontium Compounds"". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_321. ISBN 978-3-527-30673-2.
  8. ^ Juknelevicius D, Mikoliunaite L, Sakirzanovas S, Kubilius R, Ramanavicius A (October 2014). "A Spectrophotometric Study of Red Pyrotechnic Flame Properties Using Three Classical Oxidizers: Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate, Potassium Chlorate". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 640 (12–13): 2560–2565. doi:10.1002/zaac.201400299.
  9. ^ Zhai H, Hannon W, Hahn GS, Pelosi A, Harper RA, Maibach HI (2000). "Strontium nitrate suppresses chemically-induced sensory irritation in humans". Contact Dermatitis. 42 (2): 98–100. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.042002098.x. PMID 10703633. S2CID 25910851.
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