White to light yellow granular, rod or powder. It is hygroscopic. Decomposition when heated above 320ºC. Slowly oxidizes to sodium nitrate in the air. In case of weak acid decomposition, brown nitrous oxide gas is released. Soluble in 1.5 parts cold water, 0.6 parts boiling water, slightly soluble in ethanol. The aqueous solution is alkaline with a pH of about 9. The relative density is 2.17. Melting point 271ºC. Oxidizing, in contact with organic matter can burn and explode, and release toxic and irritating nitrogen peroxide and nitrogen oxide gas. Moderately toxic, median lethal dose (rats, orally)180mg/kg.
Folding chemistry
It's a strong oxidizing agent with reductive properties,
It will gradually oxidize in the air, and the surface will become sodium nitrate, which can also be oxidized by oxidants; In case of weak acid decomposition, brown nitrogen dioxide gas is released; Contact with organic matter and reducing agent can cause explosion or combustion, and release toxic irritant nitrogen oxide gas; In case of strong oxidants can also be oxidized, especially ammonium salt, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium persulfate and so on at room temperature, that can interact with high heat, causing combustion of combustible materials.
Sodium nitrite is toxic, there are rumors that sodium nitrite is a carcinogen, but in fact sodium nitrite is not a carcinogen, carcinogenic sodium nitrite is a nitrosamine generated under certain conditions, in sodium nitrite molecules, the valence of nitrogen is +3. It is an intermediate compound with both reducing and oxidizing properties, such as the oxidation of KI to elemental iodine in acidic solutions.