2 NaNO₂ → Na₂O + NO + NO₂

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

NaNO₂ is both an oxidizing and a reducing agent (disproportionation (dismutation)).

Reactants:

• NaNO₂
  • Names: Sodium nitrite , 7632-00-0 , E250 ... show moreNaNO2 , Nitrous acid, sodium salt show less
  • Appearance: White or slightly yellowish solid ; Hygroscopic white-to-yellow solid in various forms

Products:

• Na₂O – Sodium oxide
  • Other names: Disodium oxide , Sodium monoxide , Disodium monoxide
  • Appearance: White solid ; White lumps or powder
• NO – Nitrogen monoxide , Oxidonitrogen(•) (additive)
  • Other names: Nitric oxide , Nitrogen(II) oxide , Nitric oxide (radical) ... show moreMononitrogen monoxide , (.)NO , EDRF , Nitrogen monooxide , [NO] , Oxido de nitrogeno(ii) , NO(.) , Oxido nitrico , Stickstoff(ii)-oxid , NO , Oxyde azotique , Oxyde nitrique , Stickstoffmonoxid , Nitrosyl , (NO)(.) , Monoxido de nitrogeno , Endothelium-derived relaxing factor , Nitroxide radical , Nitroxyl , Nitrosyl radical , Hydroxyamine , Nitrogen oxide , Nitrogen protoxide , Nitrosyl hydride , Nitric Oxide show less
  • Appearance: Colourless gas ; Colourless compressed gas ; Colorless gas. [Note: Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas.]
• NO₂ – Nitrogen dioxide
  • Other names: Nitrogen(IV) oxide , Deutoxide of nitrogen , Nitrogen peroxide ... show moreNO2 , NO2(.) , Dinitrogen tetroxide (see notes) , Nitrogen tetroxide , Dinitrogen tetroxide show less
  • Appearance: Brown gas ; Reddish-brown gas or brown or yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Yellowish-brown liquid or reddish-brown gas (above 70°F) with a pungent, acrid odor. [Note: In solid form (below 15°F) it is found structurally as N2O4.]