Nitrates are compounds containing the anion NO₃^-. Nitrites are compounds containing NO₂^-. Nitrates are salts derived from nitric acid and nitrites are salts or esters of nitrous acid.

All nitrates are readily soluble in water. Many nitrates are ionic in nature, but heavy metal nitrates and anhydrous nitrates have covalently bonded nitrate groups. Nitrates are formed from reacting nitric acid with metal oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates. Decomposition of nitrates on heating will give the metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen. The presence of nitrates in a compound can be shown by the following test.Iron (II) sulphate is added to the test solution and then concentrated sulfuric acid is carefully added down the side of the test tube. If a nitrate is present, a brown ring will form where the two liquids meet.

When ammonia is reacted with nitric acid, ammonium nitrate...