Anhydrous Metal Nitrates

Nitrates of many metals are known in hydrated form, but very few anhydrous nitrates had been prepared until recently. This applies particularly to the transition metals, where attempts to remove the molecules of water from the hydrate usually lead to hydrolytic decomposition through hydroxide nitrates to the hydroxide or the oxide, with evolution of nitric acid. This chapter discusses the versatility in nitrate chemistry. It is not yet possible to present a completely systematic picture, because the anhydrous nitrates of some metals have still to be prepared and many aspects of the bonding and reactivity of metal nitrates have not yet been explored. The chapter focuses on individual compounds that are representative of particular structures or properties. It provides a summary of properties characteristic of free nitrate ions and ionic nitrates, so that comparison can be made with the covalent nitrates and their derivatives. The chapter also gives a systematic review of the metal nitrates now known, surveyed on the basis of the Periodic Table.