Basic Tellurium Nitrate, Te₂O₃(OH)NO₃

Basic Tellurium Nitrate, Te2O3(OH)NO3, which has already been mentioned, is formed when a solution of tellurium or tellurium dioxide in nitric acid is evaporated without excessive heating. It crystallises in rhombic pyramidal crystals (a:b:c = 0.590:1:0.607). When heated, the nitrate undergoes decomposition, which commences at 190° C., the final residue being tellurium dioxide. Hot water rapidly hydrolyses the salt with formation of tellurium dioxide and nitric acid. The constitution of this salt is probably