Nitric acid

Nitric Acid (H NO₃) is a very corrosive and toxic strong acid that can cause severe burns. It is also known as aqua fortis. The majority of nitric acid is used to make ammonium nitrate and other fertilizers. Some is used in rocket fuels and explosives, and to help make wood look older.

Structure of Nitric Acid

It can react with metals such as copper to produce a brown toxic gas called nitrogen dioxide. It is made by reaction of nitrogen dioxide with water.

In alchemy, it is known as aqua fortis, or strong water. It can dissolve silver but leaves gold unharmed, making it a good test for gold. The term acid test came from this test.

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Nitrogen compounds (or Nitrogen species)
Hydrides	NH₃ NH₄⁺ NH₂⁻ N³⁻ NH₂OH N₂H₄ HN₃ N₃⁻ NH₅ (?)
Organic	NR₃ >C=NR -CONR₂ -CN HCN CN⁻ (CN)₂ H₂NCN HOCN HNCO HNCS CH₂N₂ -NO -NO₂
Oxides	NO / (NO)₂ N₂O₃ HNO₂ / NO⁻ ₂ / NO⁺ NO₂ / (NO₂)₂ N₂O₅ HNO₃ / NO⁻ ₃ / NO⁺ ₂ NO₃ HNO / (HON)₂ / N₂O²⁻ ₂ / N₂O H₂NNO₂ HO₂NO / ONOO⁻ HO₂NO₂ / O₂NOO⁻ NO³⁻ ₄ H₄N₂O₄ / N₂O²⁻ ₃
Halides	NF NF₂ NF₃ NF₅ (?) NCl₃ NBr₃ NI₃ FN₃ ClN₃ BrN₃ IN₃ NH₂F N₂F₂ NH₂Cl NHF₂ NHCl₂ NHBr₂ NHI₂
Oxidation states	−3, −2, −1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5 (a strongly acidic oxide)