5216. Isopropyl Nitrite

Nomenclature

CAS number: 541-42-4
Nitrous acid 1-methylethyl ester; 2-propanol nitrite; nitrous acid isopropyl ester.
C3H7NO2; mol wt 89.09.
C 40.44%, H 7.92%, N 15.72%, O 35.92%.

Description and references

Prepd by treating isopropyl alcohol with nitrosyl chloride: Kornblum et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 5531 (1955); by adding concd sulfuric acid and isopropyl alcohol to sodium nitrite: Levin, Hartung, Org. Synth. 24, 26 (1944).

Chemical structure

Properties

Pale yellow oil. d40 0.856; d425 0.844. bp752 39-39.5°; bp745 39-40°. nD20 1.3520.

Caution

Can cause vasodilation with fall in blood pressure, tachycardia, headache. Large doses can cause methemoglobinuria with cyanosis. Severe poisoning results in shock which can end fatally.

Use

Jet propellant.