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The nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO − 2. Nitrite (mostly sodium nitrite) is widely used throughout chemical and pharmaceutical industries. [1] The nitrite anion is a pervasive intermediate in the nitrogen cycle in nature. The name nitrite also refers to organic compounds having the –ONO group, which are esters of nitrous acid.
In the NO − 3 anion, the oxidation state of the central nitrogen atom is V (+5). This corresponds to the highest possible oxidation number of nitrogen. Nitrate is a potentially powerful oxidizer as evidenced by its explosive behaviour at high temperature when it is detonated in ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3), or black powder, ignited by the shock wave of a primary explosive.
Nitrogen cycle. Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via the intermediary nitrite.Nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle in soil.The process of complete nitrification may occur through separate organisms [1] or entirely within one organism, as in comammox bacteria.
Bacteria are able to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrate but they are inhibited by light so this must occur below the euphotic zone. [43] Ammonification or Mineralization is performed by bacteria to convert organic nitrogen to ammonia. Nitrification can then occur to convert the ammonium to nitrite and nitrate. [44]
Direct reduction from nitrate to ammonium, a process known as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium or DNRA, [6] is also possible for organisms that have the nrf-gene. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] This is less common than denitrification in most ecosystems as a means of nitrate reduction.
A nitrate nitrite, or nitrite nitrate, is a coordination complex or other chemical compound that contains both nitrite (NO − 2) and nitrate (NO − 3) anions. They are mixed-anion compounds, and they are mixed-valence compounds. Some have third anions. Many nitrite nitrate compounds are coordination complexes of cobalt.
Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium is a two step process, reducing NO 3 − to NO 2 − then NO 2 − to NH 4 +, though the reaction may begin with NO 2 − directly. [1] Each step is mediated by a different enzyme, the first step of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium is usually mediated by a periplasmic nitrate reductase.
The nitrate anion is an oxidizer, and many tests for the nitrate anion are based on this property. However, other oxidants present in the analyte may interfere and give erroneous results. Nitrate can also be detected by first reducing it to the more reactive nitrite ion and using one of many nitrite tests. [1]