WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
28.34 - Nitrites; nitrates. 2834.10 - Nitrites - Nitrates : 2834.21 - - Of potassium 2834.29 - - Other (A) NITRITES Subject to the exclusions mentioned in the introduction to this sub-chapter, this heading includes nit&es, metal salts of nitrous acid (HN02)(heading 28.1 1). (1) Sodium nitrite (NaN02). Obtained by reducing sodium nitrate with lead; also during the manufacture of litharge. Colourless crystals, hygroscopic and very soluble in water. Used as an oxidising agent in vat dyes; in organic synthesis; for pickling meat; in photography; as a rat-poison, etc. (2) Potassium nitrite (IWO2). Prepared by the same method as sodium nitrite, or by the action of sulphur dioxide on a mlxture of calcium oxide and potassium nitrate. A white crystalline powder or in yellowish sticks; often containing other salts as impurities. Soluble in water, very deliquescent and deteriorating in the air. Used for similar purposes to sodium nitrite. (3) Barium nitrite (Ba(N02)2).Crystals used in pyrotechnics. (4) Other nitrites. These include ammonium nitrite, unstable and explosive; used in solution for the production of nitrogen in laboratories. The heading excludes cobaltinitrites (heading 28.42). (B) NITRATES Subject to the exclusions mentioned in the introduction to this sub-chapter, this heading covers nitrates, metal salts of nitric acid (headin 28 08 , other than ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate, whether or not pure (heading 31.OHor d 5 ) . (See other exclusions below.) Basic nitrates are also classified here. (1) Potassium nitrate (KN03) (also called saltpetre or nitre). Obtained fkom sodium nitrate and potassium chloride. Occurs in colowless crystals, in vitreous masses or as a white crystalline powder, soluble in water and hygroscopic when impure. Similar uses to sodium nitrate; also for preparing gunpowder, chermcal primers, fireworks, matches and metallurgical fluxes. (2) Bismuth nitrates. (a) Neutral bismuth nitrate (13i(N03)3.5H20).Results from the action of nitric acid on bismuth; large crystals, colourless, deliquescent. Used for preparing bismuth oxides or salts and certain varnishes. (b) Basic bismuth nitrate (BiN03(0H)2). Obtained from the neutral bismuth nitrate; pearly white powder, insoluble in water. Used in medicine (for treating gastro-intestinal ailments); in ceramics (iridescent colours); in cosinetics; in the preparation of fulininate primers, etc. (3) Magnesium nitrate (Mg(N03)2.6H20). Colourless crystals, soluble in water. Used in pyrotechnics, in the preparation of refractory products (with magnesium oxide), of incandescent gas mantles, etc. (4) Calcium nitrate (Ca(N03)2). Obtained by treating crushed limestone with nitric acid. White deliquescent mass, soluble in water, alcohol and acetone : used in pyrotechnics, in the manufacture of explosives, matches, fertilisers, etc. k (5) Ferric nitrate (Fe(N03)3.6or 9 H20 Blue crystals. Used as a mordant in dyeing and in printing (alone or combined with t e acetate). The pure aqueous solution is used in medicine. ~ O ) . reddish or brownish c stals, soluble in water, (6) Cobalt nitrate ( C O ( N O ~ ) ~ . ~ HPurple, deliquescent. Used in the preparation of cobalt blues or yellov; an of sympathetic inks; in ceramic decoration; for electrolytic cobalt-plating, etc. 2' (7) Nickel nitrate (Ni(N03)2.6H20).Water-soluble, deliquescent green c stals. Used in the ceramic industry (brown pigments); in dyeing (as a mordant); in electro ytic nickel-plating; for obtaining nickel oxide or for the preparation of the pure nickel catalyst. (8) Cupric nitrate (Cu(NO&). Copper dissolved in nitric acid gives, by crystallisation, co per nitrate (with 3 or 6 HzO) according to temperature). Blue or green crystals, solub e in water, hygroscopic, poisonous. Used in pyrotechnics; in the dyestuff industry; in textile dyeing or rinting (mordant); in the preparation of cupric oxide and photographic papers; in electrop ating, to give metals a patina, etc. I' !' (9) Strontium nitrate (Sr(NO&). The action of strontium oxide or sul hide on nitric acid gives the anhydrous salt in the warm, and the hydrated salt (with HzO)in the cold. Colourless crystalline powder, deli uescent, soluble in water, decomposed by heat. Used in pyrotechnics for red lights; also in t e preparation of matches. g 7, (10) Cadmium nitrate (Cd(N03)2.4H20).Prepared from the oxide. Colourless needles, soluble in water and deliquescent. Used as a colouring matter in ceramics or glass-making. (1 1) Barium nitrate (Ba(N03)2. Prepared from natural carbonate (witherite) (heading 25.1 1). Colourless or white crysta s or crystalline powder, soluble in water, poisonous. Used in p rotechnics for green lights; in the manufacture of explosives, of optical glass, of ceramic g azes, of barium salts or of nitrates, etc. i (12) Lead nitrate (Pb(N03)*).Lead nitrate is obtained as a by-product of the pre aration of lead dioxide by the action of nitric acid on red lead. Colourless crystals, so uble in water, poisonous. Used in pyrotechnics (yellow lights); in the manufacture of matches, of explosives and of certain colourin matters; in tanning; in photogaphy and lithography; for preparing lead salts and as an oxi ising agent in organic synthesis. cf Apart from the exclusions mentioned previously, the following products are also excluded : (a) Mercury nitrates (heading 28.52). (b) Acetonitrates (Chapter 29) (e.g., iron acetonitrate, used as a mordant). (c) Double salts, whether or not pure, of ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate (heading 31.02 or 31.05). (d) Explosii-esconsisting of mixtures of metal nitrates (heading 36.02).
1.- Except where the context otherwise requires, the headings of this Chapter apply only to : (a) Separate chemical elements and separate chemically defined compounds, whether or not containing impurities; (b) The products mentioned in (a) above dissolved in water; (c) The products mentioned in (a) above dissolved in other solvents provided that the solution constitutes a normal and necessary method of putting up these products adopted solely for reasons of safety or for transport and that the solvent does not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use; (d) The products mentioned in (a), (b) or (c) above with an added stabiliser (including an anti-caking agent) necessary for their preservation or transport; (e) The products mentioned in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above with an added anti-dusting agent or a colouring substance added to facilitate their identification or for safety reasons, provided that the additions do not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use.