Potassium nitrate; KNO3; Molar mass 101.1032 g/mol Also known as saltpeter, saltpetre, nitrate of potash, niter, Potassium nitrateÂis aÂchemical compound, anÂionic saltÂofÂpotassium ionsÂK+ÂandÂnitrate ionsÂNO3-, anÂalkali metal nitrate. It is found as the mineral niter, a source ofÂnitrogen, and was once an important food preservative and its food additive number is E252 and is used in some charcuterie. It was one of the three components of gunpowder but today it is mainly used in fertilizer, rocket propellant and fireworks. |