Substance profile
Sodium Nitrite
Sodium Nitrite is white, orthorhombic crystals.
01 · Identification
What Sodium Nitrite is
Sodium Nitrite is white, orthorhombic crystals. Its molecular formula is NNaO2 and its molecular weight is 68.995 g/mol. It boils at 115 °C, melts at 271 °C, is slightly soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidiser. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P273, P301, P310, P330, P391, P501
This page lists only the codes assigned to Sodium Nitrite. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium Nitrite properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 115 °C (239 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 320 °C (608 °F) | decomposes | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 271 °C (519.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 271.11 °C (520 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -1.11 °C (30 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 2.17 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.2 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 2.17 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Sol in water; moderately sol in methanol; sparingly soluble in diethyl ether | HSDB | |
| Slightly soluble in ethanol | HSDB | ||
| Sol in 1.5 parts cold, 0.6 parts boiling water. | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 537.78 °C (1000 °F) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Explodes when heated to over 1,000 °C ... | HSDB | |
| Shock may explode them ... | Nitrites | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Sodium Nitrite
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
May explode on heating above 530 °C ... /Sodium nitrite/ is a strong oxidant and reacts with combustible and reducing materials causing fire and explosion hazard.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sodium Nitrite
Storage conditions
Separated from combustible and reducing substances, acids. Dry. Well closed.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
... /They/ can react vigorously with reducing materials. /Nitrites/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
SODIUM NITRITE SOLUTION is an oxidizing agent. Reacts with reducing agents to generate heat and products that may be gaseous (causing pressurization inside closed containers). The products may themselves be capable of further reactions (such as combustion). Dissolution in water reduces but does not nullify the oxidizing power of nitrites. Reacts with acids to form toxic nitrogen dioxide gas. Mixtures with phosphorus, tin(II) chloride or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979 p. 108-109]. When a mixture with sodium thiosulfate was heated to dryness, a violent explosion occurred [Mellor 10:501 1946-47]. May react with organic amines to give carcinogens (nitrosamines).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sodium Nitrite in the storage compatibility matrix →
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Sodium Nitrite
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Sodium Nitrite issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
Nearby
Substances next to Sodium Nitrite
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