Characteristic

Potassium nitrite (distinct from potassium nitrate) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula KNO2. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrite ions NO²⁻, which forms a white or slightly yellow, hygroscopic crystalline powder that is soluble in water.

Chemical formula:KNO₂

Molar mass:85.10379 g/mol

Appearance:white or slight yellow solid deliquescent

Density:1.914986 g/cm³

Melting point:440.02 °C (824.04 °F; 713.17 K) (decomposes)

Boiling point:537 °C (999 °F; 810 K) (explodes)

Solubility in water:281 g/100 mL (0 °C);312 g/100 mL (25 °C);413 g/100 mL (100 °C)

Solubility:soluble in alcohol, ammonia

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):−23.3·10−6 cm³/mol

Application

Potassium nitrite is used as a food preservative, paint and coating additives and analytical reagent. It is used as a strong oxidizing agent as well as involved in the preparation of heat transfer salts. In addition, it is employed as corrosion inhibitors and anti-scaling agents.