Guanidine nitrate
Guanidine nitrate is the chemical compound with the formula NO3. It is a colorless, water-soluble salt. It is produced on a large scale and finds use as precursor for nitroguanidine, fuel in pyrotechnics and gas generators. Its correct name is guanidinium nitrate, but the incorrect term guanidine nitrate is widely used.Although it is the salt formed by neutralizing guanidine with nitric acid, guanidine nitrate is produced industrially by the reaction of dicyandiamide and ammonium nitrate.
It has been used as a monopropellant in the Jetex engine for model airplanes. It is attractive because it has a high gas output and low flame temperature. It has a relatively high monopropellant specific impulse of 177 seconds.
Guanidine nitrate's explosive decomposition is given by the following equation:
H6N4CO3 ' → 3 H2O ' + 2 N2 ' + C 'Safety
The compound is a hazardous substance, being an explosive and containing an oxidant. It is also harmful to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
