Strontium nitrate

Strontium nitrate
Names
	IUPAC name Strontium nitrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	10042-76-9 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	23231 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.107
EC Number	233-131-9;
PubChem CID	24848;
UNII	BDG873AQZL ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9064924 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/2NO3.Sr/c22-1(3)4;/q2-1;+2 Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/2NO3.Sr/c22-1(3)4;/q2-1;+2 Key: DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYAG;
	SMILES [Sr+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O;
Properties
Chemical formula	Sr(NO3)2
Molar mass	211.630 g/mol (anhydrous); 283.69 g/mol (tetrahydrate);
Appearance	white crystalline solid
Density	2.986 g/cm3 (anhydrous); 2.20 g/cm3 (tetrahydrate)[page needed];
Melting point	570 °C (1,058 °F; 843 K) (anhydrous); 100 °C (212 °F; 373 K), decomposes (tetrahydrate);
Boiling point	645 °C (1,193 °F; 918 K) decomposes
Solubility in water	anhydrous: 660–709 g/L (20 °C (68 °F; 293 K)); ; tetrahydrate: 604.3 g/L (0 °C (32 °F; 273 K)); 2065 g/L (100 °C (212 °F; 373 K)); ;
Solubility in ammonia	soluble
Solubility in ethanol	slightly soluble
Solubility in acetone	slightly soluble
log P	0.19
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	57.2×10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic (anhydrous); monoclinic (tetrahydrate);
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H271, H318, H402
Precautionary statements	P210, P220, P221, P273, P280, P283, P305+P351+P338+P310, P306+P360, P370+P378, P371+P380+P375, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 0 2 OX
Flash point	Non-flammable
	Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	2750 mg/kg (rat, oral)
LC50 (median concentration)	>4.5 mg/L (rat, 4h, inhalation)
Related compounds
Other anions	Strontium carbonate; Strontium chloride; Strontium sulfate;
Other cations	Beryllium nitrate; Magnesium nitrate; Calcium nitrate; Barium nitrate;
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Strontium nitrate is an inorganic compound composed of the elements strontium, nitrogen and oxygen with the formula Sr(NO₃)₂. This colorless solid is used as a red colorant and oxidizer in pyrotechnics.

Preparation

Strontium nitrate is typically generated by the reaction of nitric acid with strontium carbonate.^[4]

2 HNO₃ + SrCO₃ → Sr(NO₃)₂ + H₂O + CO₂

Uses

Like many other strontium salts, strontium nitrate is used to produce a rich red flame in fireworks and road flares. Unlike most other commonly used color-producing compounds,^[a] strontium nitrate (along with other strontium compounds) emit light in almost the same range from their hydroxides and oxides as their chlorides, with the chlorides emitting a slightly deeper red.^[6] Combined with strontium nitrate's high strength as an oxidizer, extremely pure colors in the orange-red to red color range are attainable with simple compositions using it as both oxidizer and colorant.^[7]^[8]

Strontium nitrate can aid in eliminating and lessening skin irritations. When mixed with glycolic acid, strontium nitrate reduces the sensation of skin irritation significantly better than using glycolic acid alone.^[9]

Biochemistry

As a divalent ion with an ionic radius similar to that of Ca²⁺ (1.13 and 0.99 Å respectively), Sr²⁺ ions mimic calcium's ability to traverse calcium-selective ion channels and trigger neurotransmitter release from nerve endings. It is thus used in electrophysiology experiments.^{[citation needed]}

Notes

^ See copper in particular, which can produce any of red, green, or blue / blue-violet depending on the active emitter in a flame.^[5]

References

^ Patnaik P (2003). Handbook of inorganic chemicals. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Sigma-Aldrich Co., Strontium Nitrate. Retrieved on 1 January 2026.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Strontium Nitrate Anhydrous (Crystalline/Certified ACS), Fisher Chemical 100 g | Fisher Scientific". www.fishersci.com. ThermoFisher Scientific. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
^ Ward, R., Osterheld, R. K., Rosenstein, R. D. "Strontium Sulfide and Selenide Phosphors". Inorganic Syntheses. Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 3. pp. 11–23. doi:10.1002/9780470132340.ch4. ISBN 978-0-470-13234-0.
^ Meyerriecks W, Kosanke K (2003). "Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (18): 15. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
^ Ding D, Tabata D, Yoshida T (19 October 2009). "Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (28): 51–60. 0079. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
^ MacMillan JP, Park JW, Gerstenberg R, Wagner H, Köhler K, Wallbrecht P. ""Strontium and Strontium Compounds"". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_321. ISBN 978-3-527-30673-2.
^ Juknelevicius D, Mikoliunaite L, Sakirzanovas S, Kubilius R, Ramanavicius A (October 2014). "A Spectrophotometric Study of Red Pyrotechnic Flame Properties Using Three Classical Oxidizers: Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate, Potassium Chlorate". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 640 (12–13): 2560–2565. doi:10.1002/zaac.201400299.
^ Zhai H, Hannon W, Hahn GS, Pelosi A, Harper RA, Maibach HI (2000). "Strontium nitrate suppresses chemically-induced sensory irritation in humans". Contact Dermatitis. 42 (2): 98–100. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.042002098.x. PMID 10703633. S2CID 25910851.

[6] See copper in particular, which can produce any of red, green, or blue / blue-violet depending on the active emitter in a flame.^[5]

[1] Patnaik P (2003). Handbook of inorganic chemicals. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8.

[Sigma-2] Sigma-Aldrich Co., Strontium Nitrate. Retrieved on 1 January 2026.

[FisherSci-3] "Strontium Nitrate Anhydrous (Crystalline/Certified ACS), Fisher Chemical 100 g | Fisher Scientific". www.fishersci.com. ThermoFisher Scientific. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.

[Ward-4] Ward, R., Osterheld, R. K., Rosenstein, R. D. "Strontium Sulfide and Selenide Phosphors". Inorganic Syntheses. Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 3. pp. 11–23. doi:10.1002/9780470132340.ch4. ISBN 978-0-470-13234-0.

[5] Meyerriecks W, Kosanke K (2003). "Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (18): 15. Retrieved 2 January 2026.

[7] Ding D, Tabata D, Yoshida T (19 October 2009). "Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions" (PDF). Journal of Pyrotechnics (28): 51–60. 0079. Retrieved 2 January 2026.

[8] MacMillan JP, Park JW, Gerstenberg R, Wagner H, Köhler K, Wallbrecht P. ""Strontium and Strontium Compounds"". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_321. ISBN 978-3-527-30673-2.

[9] Juknelevicius D, Mikoliunaite L, Sakirzanovas S, Kubilius R, Ramanavicius A (October 2014). "A Spectrophotometric Study of Red Pyrotechnic Flame Properties Using Three Classical Oxidizers: Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate, Potassium Chlorate". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 640 (12–13): 2560–2565. doi:10.1002/zaac.201400299.

[Zhai-10] Zhai H, Hannon W, Hahn GS, Pelosi A, Harper RA, Maibach HI (2000). "Strontium nitrate suppresses chemically-induced sensory irritation in humans". Contact Dermatitis. 42 (2): 98–100. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.042002098.x. PMID 10703633. S2CID 25910851.

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