Chemistry:Strontium nitrate

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Strontium nitrate
File:Sr(NO3)2.png
Names
IUPAC name
Strontium nitrate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 233-131-9
UNII
Properties
Sr(NO
3
)
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 pictograms GHS03: OxidizingGHS05: Corrosive
GHS Signal word Danger
H271, H318, H402
P210, P220, P221, P273, P280, P283, P305+351+338+310, P306+360, P370+378, P371+380+375, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
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).
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Infobox references

Strontium nitrate is an inorganic compound composed of the elements strontium, nitrogen and oxygen with the formula Sr(NO
3
)
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 HNO
3
+ SrCO
3
→ Sr(NO
3
)
2
+ H
2
O + CO
2
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,[lower-alpha 1] 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, Pradyot (2003). Handbook of inorganic chemicals. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sigma-Aldrich Co., Strontium Nitrate. Retrieved on 1 January 2026.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Strontium Nitrate Anhydrous (Crystalline/Certified ACS), Fisher Chemical 100 g | Fisher Scientific" (in en). ThermoFisher Scientific. 18 December 2025. https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/strontium-nitrate-anhydrous-crystalline-certified-acs-fisher-chemical-2/S549100. 
  4. Ward, R.; Osterheld, R. K.; Rosenstein, R. D.. "Strontium Sulfide and Selenide Phosphors". Inorganic Syntheses. Inorganic Syntheses. 3. pp. 11–23. doi:10.1002/9780470132340.ch4. ISBN 978-0-470-13234-0. 
  5. Meyerriecks, W.; Kosanke, K.L. (2003). "Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames". Journal of Pyrotechnics (18): 15. https://www.jpyro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/j18_1_fglk1.pdf#page=15. Retrieved 2 January 2026. 
  6. Ding, D.; Tabata, D.; Yoshida, T. (19 October 2009). "Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions". Journal of Pyrotechnics (28): 51-60. 0079. https://www.jpyro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/J28_51_ffrd.pdf. Retrieved 2 January 2026. 
  7. MacMillan, J. Paul; Park, Jai Won; Gerstenberg, Rolf; Wagner, Heinz; Köhler, Karl; Wallbrecht, Peter. "Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_321. 
  8. Juknelevicius, Dominykas; Mikoliunaite, Lina; Sakirzanovas, Simas; Kubilius, Rytis; Ramanavicius, Arunas (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. "Strontium nitrate suppresses chemically-induced sensory irritation in humans". Contact Dermatitis 42 (2): 98–100. 2000. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.042002098.x. PMID 10703633. 
Salts and covalent derivatives of the nitrate ion