7864. Propyl Nitrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 627-13-4
Nitric acid propyl ester.
C3H7NO3; mol wt 105.09.
C 34.29%, H 6.71%, N 13.33%, O 45.67%.

Description and references

Prepd by nitration of propanol with nitric acid, usually in the presence of urea and ammonium nitrate or sulfuric acid: Vogel, J. Chem. Soc. 1948, 1847. Physical data concerning combustion and propulsion: Penner, Ducarme, The Chemistry of Propellants (Pergamon Press, 1960).

Chemical structure

Properties

Pale yellow liquid. Sweet, sickly odor. d420 1.0538. bp762 110°. Flammable. Explosive. nD20 1.3979. Dipole moment: 2.98. Azeotrope with water contg 75% C3H7NO3, bp760 84.8°. Very slightly sol in water. Sol in alcohol, ether.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure in exptl animals are irritation of eyes and skin; methemoglobinemia, anoxia, cyanosis; dyspnea, weakness, dizziness, headache. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 270.

Use

Fuel ignition promoter, in rocket fuel formulations, as organic intermediate.