How does Guanidine Nitrate react with acids?
Aug 26, 2025| As a reliable supplier of Guanidine Nitrate, I've witnessed the growing interest in its chemical properties, especially its reactions with acids. In this blog, I'll delve into the science behind how Guanidine Nitrate interacts with various acids, providing insights that can be valuable for researchers, manufacturers, and anyone involved in the chemical industry.
Understanding Guanidine Nitrate
Guanidine Nitrate, with the chemical formula C₅H₅N₅·HNO₃, is a white crystalline powder. It's widely used in industries such as pyrotechnics, explosives, and pharmaceuticals. Its structure consists of a guanidine group (C(NH₂)₃⁺) and a nitrate anion (NO₃⁻). The guanidine group is a strong base due to the presence of three amino groups attached to a central carbon atom, which can donate electrons readily. This basic nature is a key factor in its reactions with acids.
General Reaction Mechanism with Acids
When Guanidine Nitrate reacts with an acid, a typical acid - base reaction occurs. The basic guanidine group in Guanidine Nitrate accepts a proton (H⁺) from the acid. The general equation for the reaction of Guanidine Nitrate (C₅H₅N₅·HNO₃) with a monoprotic acid (HA) can be written as:
C₅H₅N₅·HNO₃ + HA → C₅H₅N₅H⁺A⁻+ HNO₃
In this reaction, the guanidine part of the compound gains an extra proton, forming a positively charged guanidinium ion, while the anion of the acid combines with the guanidinium ion to form a new salt. The nitrate anion from Guanidine Nitrate remains in the solution as nitric acid if the reaction is carried out in an aqueous medium.
Reaction with Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Let's take the reaction with hydrochloric acid as an example. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that dissociates completely in water to release H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. When Guanidine Nitrate reacts with HCl, the following reaction takes place:
C₅H₅N₅·HNO₃ + HCl → C₅H₅N₅H⁺Cl⁻+ HNO₃
The guanidine group in Guanidine Nitrate accepts a proton from HCl, and the resulting guanidinium chloride salt is formed. The nitric acid produced in the reaction remains in the solution. This reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat. The heat released can be significant, especially if the reaction is carried out on a large scale. Therefore, proper safety measures, such as cooling the reaction vessel, should be taken when conducting this reaction.
Reaction with Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄)
Sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid, which means it can donate two protons per molecule. The reaction with Guanidine Nitrate is more complex. In the first step, one proton from sulfuric acid reacts with Guanidine Nitrate:
C₅H₅N₅·HNO₃ + H₂SO₄ → C₅H₅N₅H⁺HSO₄⁻+ HNO₃
If more sulfuric acid is added, a second proton can react with the guanidinium hydrogen sulfate salt formed in the first step:
C₅H₅N₅H⁺HSO₄⁻+ H₂SO₄ → C₅H₅N₅H₂²⁺SO₄²⁻+ H₂SO₄
The final product is a guanidinium sulfate salt. The reaction with sulfuric acid is also highly exothermic and can be dangerous if not controlled properly.
Applications of the Reaction Products
The reaction products of Guanidine Nitrate with acids have various applications. For example, guanidinium chloride, the product of the reaction with hydrochloric acid, is used in protein denaturation studies in biochemistry. It can disrupt the non - covalent bonds in proteins, causing them to unfold. Guanidinium salts are also used in the synthesis of other organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.
Our Product Range and Related Offerings
As a leading supplier of Guanidine Nitrate, we are committed to providing high - quality products to meet the diverse needs of our customers. In addition to Guanidine Nitrate, we also offer other related fine chemicals. For instance, we have 10 Micron Superfine Dicyandiamide and 30 Micron Superfine Dicyandiamide, which are important raw materials in the production of guanidine compounds. Our Guanidine Phosphate 5423 - 23 - 4 is another product that can be used in a variety of applications, including as a flame retardant and in the production of fertilizers.
Contact Us for Procurement
If you are interested in purchasing Guanidine Nitrate or any of our other fine chemicals, we invite you to contact us for procurement discussions. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with product selection, technical support, and ensuring a smooth procurement process. Whether you are conducting research, running a manufacturing plant, or involved in any other chemical - related activities, we can provide the high - quality products you need.
References
- Housecroft, C. E., & Sharpe, A. G. (2012). Inorganic Chemistry (4th ed.). Pearson.
- McMurry, J. (2012). Organic Chemistry (8th ed.). Brooks/Cole.
- Atkins, P., & de Paula, J. (2014). Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.