Calcium nitrate

Calcium nitrate, also known as Norwegian saltpeter, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is Ca(NO₃)₂. It contains calcium and nitrate ions.

Calcium nitrate

Names
Other names Kalksalpeter, nitrocalcite, Norwegian saltpeter, lime nitrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	10124-37-5 Y 13477-34-4 (tetrahydrate) N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	23336 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.289
PubChem CID	24963
RTECS number	EW2985000
UNII	NF52F38N1N N
UN number	1454
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1039719
SMILES [Ca+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Chemical formula	Ca(NO3)2
Molar mass	164.088 g/mol (anhydrous) 236.15 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance	colorless solid hygroscopic
Density	2.504 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 1.896 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate)
Melting point	561 °C (1,042 °F; 834 K) (anhydrous) 42.7 °C (109 °F; 316 K) (tetrahydrate)
Boiling point	decomposes (anhydrous) 132 °C (270 °F; 405 K) (tetrahydrate)
Solubility in water	anhydrous: 1212 g/L (20 °C) 2710 g/L (40 °C) tetrahydrate: 1050 g/L (0 °C) 1290 g/L (20 °C) 3630 g/L (100 °C)
Solubility	soluble in ammonia almost insoluble in nitric acid
Solubility in ethanol	51.4 g/100 g (20 °C) 62.9 g/100 g (40 °C)[1]
Solubility in methanol	134 g/100 g (10 °C) 144 g/100 g (40 °C) 158 g/100 g (60 °C)[1]
Solubility in acetone	16.8 g/kg (20 °C)[1]
Acidity (pKa)	6.0
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-45.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic (anhydrous) monoclinic (tetrahydrate)
Hazards
NFPA 704	0 2 1
R-phrases	R22, R41
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	{{{value}}}
Other cations	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Properties

Calcium nitrate is a colorless solid. It is an oxidizing agent. It absorbs water from the air. It decomposes to make nitrogen dioxide and calcium oxide when heated.

Preparation

Calcium nitrate is made by reacting calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate with nitric acid. It is made when nitric acid reacts with calcium phosphate. It can be made by reacting ammonium nitrate and calcium hydroxide.

Uses

Calcium nitrate is used in fertilizers to add nitrogen to the soil. It can be complexed with urea to make a different nitrogen fertilizer.