Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/nitric versus nitrous

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Expert: - 7/11/2007


Question
Hi,

Are these complete synonyms, or is there a difference in meaning, please?

Best wishes,

Simon

Answer
The naming of the acids goes:

HNO3 - nitric acid
HNO2 - nitrous acid

The naming of the anions goes:

NO3(-) - nitrate
NO2(-) - nitrite

They are completely different species.


http://www.chemistry.ucsc.edu/teaching/Fall06/Chem1A-02/pdf_notes/CommonIonsToLe...

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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