Nitric Acid → Bismuth nitrate

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Reaction Steps

There are three forms of bismuth nitrate, two of which are insoluble in water. One way to obtain soluble bismuth nitrate is to roast the bismuth sulfate first at a low temperature (200° C.) to convert it to the oxide, and then subject the oxide to concentrated nitric acid. The molar ratio of acid to bismuth oxide should be greater than or equal to 4:1 in order to avoid producing insoluble bismuth nitrate. Using this method, the bismuth was completely dissolved. Fine crystals of soluble bismuth nitrate were then formed through evaporation of a majority of the liquor, followed by filtration.

Provenance & Evidence