1. Agrochemicals

• Iron Supplementation: Ferric nitrate is a soluble iron source that can be readily absorbed by plants. It helps plants produce chlorophyll, which is crucial for photosynthesis.

2. Performance Chemicals

• Oxidation of Alcohols and Thiols: Ferric nitrate, often supported on clay like Montmorillonite (forming Clayfen), is used to oxidize alcohols to aldehydes and thiols to disulfides.
• Etching: Ferric nitrate solutions are used in jewelry making and metalworking to etch silver and silver alloys. 
• Organic Reactions: Ferric nitrate acts as a catalyst in various organic reactions, including the synthesis of isoxazoles from alkynes. 
• Friedel-Crafts Reactions: It can catalyze Friedel-Crafts reactions in water at room temperature, providing a mild and efficient way to synthesize indole derivatives. 
• Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Ferric nitrate is a common precursor for synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles, which have applications in catalysis, biomedicine (MRI contrast agents, drug delivery), and energy storage.

3. Metal Treatment

• Etching: Ferric nitrate solutions are commonly used by jewelers and metalsmiths to etch designs onto silver and silver alloys. The ferric nitrate etches away the exposed metal, creating a decorative or functional pattern.
• Metal Finishing: Ferric nitrate is used in metal finishing processes to prepare metal surfaces for further treatments or coatings. It can help to clean, degrease, and condition the metal surface, ensuring proper adhesion of subsequent coatings. 

4. Water Treatment

• Coagulation: Ferric nitrate, like other iron-based coagulants (e.g., ferric chloride, ferric sulfate), works by neutralizing the electrical charges of suspended particles in the water. 

5. Pulp & Paper solutions

• Coagulation and Flocculation: Ferric nitrate is a common inorganic coagulant used in the treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater. It works by neutralizing the charges of suspended particles, causing them to clump together (coagulation) and then settle out of the water (flocculation). This process helps remove pollutants like lignin, colorants, and other organic matter from the wastewater.

6. Pharmaceuticals

• Pharmaceutical Synthesis: Ferric nitrate's ability to form complexes with other compounds makes it a valuable reagent in the synthesis of certain medications, including iron supplements and antacids.
• Analytical Chemistry: In addition to its direct use in pharmaceuticals, ferric nitrate is also used in analytical chemistry as a reagent for various tests and analyses.