Strontium nitrate

Preparation

Strontium nitrate is typically generated by the reaction of nitric acid with strontium carbonate. :

Uses

Like many other strontium salts, strontium nitrate is used to produce a rich red flame in fireworks and road flares. Unlike most other commonly used color-producing compounds, strontium nitrate (along with other strontium compounds) emit light in almost the same range from their hydroxides and oxides as their chlorides, with the chlorides emitting a slightly deeper red. Combined with strontium nitrate's high strength as an oxidizer, extremely pure colors in the orange-red to red color range are attainable with simple compositions using it as both oxidizer and colorant.

Strontium nitrate can aid in eliminating and lessening skin irritations. When mixed with glycolic acid, strontium nitrate reduces the sensation of skin irritation significantly better than using glycolic acid alone.

Biochemistry

As a divalent ion with an ionic radius similar to that of ( respectively), ions mimic calcium's ability to traverse calcium-selective ion channels and trigger neurotransmitter release from nerve endings. It is thus used in electrophysiology experiments.

Notes

References

References

1. (2003). "Handbook of inorganic chemicals". McGraw-Hill.
2. {{Sigma-Aldrich
3. (18 December 2025). "Strontium Nitrate Anhydrous (Crystalline/Certified ACS), Fisher Chemical 100 g {{!}} Fisher Scientific". ThermoFisher Scientific.
4. "Inorganic Syntheses".
5. (2003). "Color Values and Spectra of the Principal Emitters in Colored Flames". Journal of Pyrotechnics.
6. (19 October 2009). "Characteristics of the Red Colored Flame of Firework Compositions". Journal of Pyrotechnics.
7. ""Strontium and Strontium Compounds"".
8. (October 2014). "A Spectrophotometric Study of Red Pyrotechnic Flame Properties Using Three Classical Oxidizers: Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate, Potassium Chlorate". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie.
9. (2000). "Strontium nitrate suppresses chemically-induced sensory irritation in humans". Contact Dermatitis.