| The structure of pure nitric acid has not been reported. This structure is that of a compound with nitric acid molecules and water molecules in a one-to-one ratio. The HNO3 molecule has transfered its proton to the water molecule giving a structure with H3O+ and NO3- ions. This page shows a portion of the structure and a portion of one layer of H3O+ and NO3- ions. |
 = N
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= N
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= O
= H