Uses of Nitric Acid

Chemical Analysis:

It’s commonly used in analytical chemistry for various tests, including the qualitative and quantitative analysis of metals and other compounds. For example, it can be used in the preparation of samples for atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or in digestion procedures prior to analysis.

Digestion of Samples:

Nitric acid is often used to digest organic and inorganic samples prior to analysis. This digestion process helps in breaking down complex matrices into simpler forms for analysis, especially for elements like metals.

Synthesis:

Nitric acid is a key reagent in many organic and inorganic synthesis reactions. It’s used in the preparation of various compounds, including nitro compounds, nitrates, and nitrocellulose.

Cleaning and Etching:

Due to its strong acidic nature, nitric acid is used for cleaning laboratory glassware and equipment. It’s also utilized for etching certain metals and ceramics.

Preparation of Nitrogen Oxides:

Nitric acid can be used in the laboratory to prepare other nitrogen oxides, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which have various applications in chemical synthesis and analysis.

pH Adjustment:

In some cases, nitric acid is used for pH adjustment in laboratory solutions, particularly in solutions containing metals or metal salts.

Catalysis:

Nitric acid can serve as a catalyst in certain reactions, especially in the oxidation of organic compounds.