Strontium nitrate Strontium nitrate Strontium nitrate is an inorganic compound made of the elements strontium and nitrogen with the formula Sr(NO). This colorless solid is used as a red colorant and oxidizer in pyrotechnics. Strontium nitrate is typically generated by the reaction of nitric acid on strontium carbonate. Like many other strontium salts, strontium nitrate is used to produce a rich red flame in fireworks and road flares. The oxidizing properties of this salt are advantageous in such applications. Strontium nitrate can aid in eliminating and lessening skin irritations. When mixed with glycolic acid, strontium nitrate reduces the sensation of skin irritation
Mercury(II) nitrate made by reacting hot concentrated nitric acid with mercury metal, under these conditions, the nitric acid is an oxidizing agent. Dilute nitric acid would produce mercury(I) nitrate. Mercuric nitrate is used in mercuration reactions. In particular, it is used in reactions involving ketones. One of the chemicals which it is most effective with is acetone. This reaction uses mercuric nitrate, mercuric oxide, and calcium sulfate to change acetone, which is CHC(O)CH, into CHC(O)CHHg. Acetone is a compound for which most other methods of mercuration prove ineffective. The mercuric nitrate compound works because it is a strong oxidizing agent. In addition,