Nomenclature
CAS number: 109-95-5
Nitrous acid ethyl ester; nitrous ether.
C
2H
5NO
2; mol wt 75.07.
C 32.00%, H 6.71%, N 18.66%, O 42.63%.
C
2H
5ONO.
Description and references
Prepd by the action of sodium nitrite on a
mixture of alcohol and H2SO4 in the cold. The
article of commerce contains 90-95% ethyl nitrite, the remainder is
chiefly alcohol as preservative. Laboratory generation of ethyl nitrite
gas by placing 20 liters of 90% ethanol in a suitable vessel, diluting
with 200 liters of water, and while stirring, adding to the dil alc
18.3 kg of nitrosyl chloride at the rate of 2.25 kg per hour; see also Chase, US 2615896 (1952).
Properties
Colorless or yellowish, clear, exceedingly volatile
liq. Characteristic odor; burning, sweetish taste. d1515 0.90. bp 17°. Slightly sol
in water and dec by it; miscible with alcohol, ether. On keeping,
it gradually dec, becoming acid and oxides of nitrogen form. Decompn
is hastened by air, light, and moisture. Flammable,
poisonous. Keep tightly closed, in a cool place, protected from light.Derivative
Spirit of Ethyl Nitrite.
Nomenclature
Spirit of nitrous ether; sweet spirit of niter. Description and references
An alcoholic soln containing 3.5-4.5% ethyl
nitrite.
Properties
Pale yellow or faintly greenish-yellow, clear,
mobile, volatile, flammable liquid; ethereal, pungent odor; sharp,
burning taste. The ethyl nitrite evaporates rapidly; dec on exposure
to air; dec in light. d25 ≤0.823. Miscible with water and alcohol.
Flammable, poisonous. Keep tightly closed,
protected from light, in a cool place, remote from fire.Caution
May cause methemoglobinemia and
hypotension and, in high concns, narcosis.Therapeutic Category
Has been used as diaphoretic.