What are nitrates and nitrites?

• Nitrates and nitrites are naturally occurring chemical compounds which contain nitrogen and oxygen as their components. 

• In nitrates, one atom of nitrogen is bonded with three atoms of oxygen whereas in nitrites one atom of nitrogen is bonded with two atoms of oxygen.

• They are present in small amounts in processed meat and in larger amounts in healthy food like vegetables. 

• The oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrate is +5 whereas in nitrite it is +3.

• Nitrates form strong acids such as nitric acid whereas nitrites form weak acids such as nitrous acid.

• Nitrates have trigonal planar geometry whereas nitrites have bent molecular geometry.

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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