Definition

Noun: * A chemical compound: Uranyl nitrate is a yellow, water-soluble, crystalline salt with the chemical formula UO₂(NO₃)₂. It is formed by the reaction of uranium compounds with nitric acid.

Usage

Uranyl nitrate is primarily used in industrial and laboratory contexts. * It is used as a reagent in chemical analysis. * It serves as a source of uranyl ions in various processes. * It was historically used in the photography industry for toning and as a colorant. * It is a key material in the nuclear fuel cycle for uranium extraction and purification.

Examples

• The laboratory ordered a new supply of uranyl nitrate for the analytical procedure.
• Due to its radioactivity and chemical toxicity, handling uranyl nitrate requires strict safety protocols.
• The yellow crystals were identified as uranyl nitrate.

Advanced Usage

• "Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate": The most common form of the compound, which includes six water molecules in its crystal structure (UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O).

Variants and Related Words

• Uranyl (adj): Of or containing the divalent ion UO₂²⁺, as in or .
• Nitrate (n): A salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the anion NO₃⁻.

Synonyms

• Uranium nitrate
• Uranium oxynitrate

Notes on Meaning

This term has a single, specific chemical meaning. It does not have idiomatic or figurative uses. It is a technical term from chemistry and nuclear technology.

Noun

1. a yellow salt obtained by the reaction of uranium salts with nitric acid