Preparation Cadmium nitrate is prepared by dissolving cadmium metal or its oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate, in nitric acid followed by crystallization CdO 2HNO3 Cd(NO3)2 H2O CdCO3 2 HNO3 Cd(NO3)2 CO2 H2O Cd 4 HNO3 2 NO2 2 H2O Cd(NO3)2 Reactions Thermal dissociation at elevated temperatures produces cadmium oxide and oxides of nitrogen.