nitrous acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. an acid, HNO 2 , known only in solution.

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nitrous acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: dioxonitric(III) acid.  a weak monobasic acid known only in solution and in the form of nitrite salts. Formula: HNO 2

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nitrous acid Scientific  

1. A weak inorganic acid existing only in solution or in the form of its salts. It can act either as an oxidizing agent or as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: HNO ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of nitrous acid

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Which of the following structures would we expect for nitrous acid?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The pH provided is a logarithmic measure of the hydronium ion concentration resulting from the acid ionization of the nitrous acid, and so it represents an “equilibrium” value for the ICE table:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The addition of sodium nitrite to meat products is controversial because nitrous acid reacts with certain organic compounds to form a class of compounds known as nitrosamines.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Ozone can oxidize or "burn" healthy tissue, and nitrogen oxides form nitrous acid and one of the major components of smog.

From Time Magazine Archive

Vitriolic acid, even concentrated and boiling, has but little effect upon bismuth; but the nitrous acid acts upon it with the greatest rapidity and violence, producing much nitrous air, mixed with phlogisticated nitrous vapour.

From Heads of Lectures on a Course of Experimental Philosophy: Particularly Including Chemistry by Priestley, Joseph