Stannous Nitrate, Sn(NO₃)₂

Stannous Nitrate is obtained in white leaflets having the composition Sn(NO₃)₂.2OH₂O by cooling to -20° C. a solution of stannous oxide in nitric acid of density 1.2. It is also formed by the action of highly diluted nitric acid on the metal, some of the acid thus suffering maximum reduction to ammonia:

4Sn + 10HNO₃ = 4Sn(NO₃)₂ + NH₄NO₃ + 3H₂O.

According to C. H. H. Walker, tin dissolves in nitric acid forming stannous and stannic nitrates, the relative proportion of these two salts produced depending on the temperature and the strength of the acid; moreover, the yellowish white precipitate which separates when the somewhat concentrated acid is employed is said to be a hydrated, ill-defined, stannic nitrate.