It is the only nitrate salt formed by a group 15 element, indicative of bismuth's metallic nature.

[6] It dissolves in nitric acid but is readily hydrolysed to form a range of oxynitrates when the pH increases above 0.

[8] Some uses in organic synthesis have been reported for example the nitration of aromatic compounds and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides.

[9] On heating bismuth nitrate can decompose forming nitrogen dioxide, NO2.

[10] The crystal form is triclinic, and contains 10 coordinate Bi3+, (three bidentate nitrate ions and four water molecules).