Sodium nitrite is an inorganic salt formed by the combination of nitrite ions and sodium ions. Sodium nitrite is easily deliquescent, soluble in water and liquid ammonia, its aqueous solution is alkaline, slightly soluble in ethanol, methanol, ether and other organic solvents. Sodium nitrite has a salty flavor and is sometimes used to make fake table salt. Sodium nitrite reacts with oxygen to form sodium nitrate when exposed to air.