Nitrates are the salts of nitric acid. The nitrate ion is the polyatomic ion with chemical formula NO3−; it is the conjugate base of nitric acid. The nitrate ion is planar and has the following structure:
O O−
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N+
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O−
A nitrate salt forms if a positively charged ion attaches to one of the negatively charged oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion.
In Medicine, Nitrates such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) are particularly useful for prevention and treatment of angina pectoris. However they can cause a dangerous reaction if taken within 24 h of taking sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) or similar drugs.
