When an aqueous solution of the nitrate salt is treated with freshly prepared solution of ferrous sulphate and conc. H2SO4, a brown ring is formed on account of the formation of complex [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4 at the junction of two liquids. NaNO3+H2SO4→NaHSO4+HNO3 6FeSO4+2HNO3+3H2SO4→3Fe2(SO4)3+4H2O+2NO [Fe(H2O)6]SO4⋅H2O+NO→[FeBrown ring(H2O)5NO]SO4+2H2O