Re: What is a nitrate and where could I find a list of names of nitrates ?

Hi Scott

Nitrates: a nitrate is something containing a N03- ion, the systematic 
name is nitrate (V) (as N is in the +5 oxidation state).  If I told you every 
nitrate compound this message would be very long, but they act as most anions 
do.  The nitrate ion is quite large and so expect covalent character with M+ 
ions of high charge density, eg LiNO3.  Apart from LiNO3, all Gp I and II 
nitrates decompose under heat: 

2MNO3 ---> 2MNO2 + O2 (for GpI)
2M(NO3)2 ---> 2MO + 4NO2 + O2

Nitrates have been used for things such as:
If you have studied electrochemical cells, you will have found saturated 
KNO3 used in salt bridges.
Back in the day, silver nitrate (AgNO3) was used to develop photographs 
as it will react with halogen ions (Br- or I- usually) in light.
Fertilisers such as Ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3 and Nitrophos, Ca(H2PO4)2 + 
Ca(NO3)2.
Nitric acid, HNO3, a reasonably strong acid as NO3- dissociates easily in 
solution and is large - making it a good proton donor. This is made by 
adding H2SO4 (conc.) to nitrate salt... which is used in the preparation of 
TNT.  I probably shouldn't tell you that, but some people do chemistry to make 
explosions.

The common test for the NO3- ion is the "Brown Ring Test. Add Fe2+(aq) to 
nitrate solution and then add H2SO4 carefully. The solutions stay in separate 
layers and a brown ring should appear between the solutions, caused by the 
[(Fe(H2O)5 NO]2+ ion.

Strictly speaking, nitrates come from stars as thats where all the Oxygen and 
Nitrogen comes from.

I hope that answers your question

Paul Henderson