WANI Dictionary

Nitrate

The term “nitrate” can refer to:

1. A nitrate ion (NO₃^-).
2. Salts of nitric acid such as sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), and potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
3. Esters of nitric acid such as methyl nitrate (CH₃ONO₂).

To avoid confusion, it is recommended to use “nitrate ion,” “nitrate salt,” and “nitrate ester” instead of just “nitrate.”

Definitions in the literature

• A salt or ester of nitric acid. The salts contain the ion NO₃^- [1].