Ethyl nitrate

Not to be confused with nitroethane or ethyl nitrite.
Ethyl nitrate
Skeletal formula of ethyl nitrate
Ball-and-stick model of the ethyl nitrate molecule
Names
IUPAC name
1-Nitrosooxyethane
Preferred IUPAC name
Ethyl nitrate
Other names
Nitric acid ethyl ester
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.009.913 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C2H5NO3/c1-2-6-3(4)5/h2H2,1H3 ☒N
    Key: IDNUEBSJWINEMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N ☒N
  • InChI=1/C2H5NO3/c1-2-6-3(4)5/h2H2,1H3
    Key: IDNUEBSJWINEMI-UHFFFAOYAM
  • CCO[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
C2H5NO3
Molar mass 91.066 g·mol−1
Appearance colorless liquid
Odor sweet
Density 1.10g/cm3
Melting point −102 °C (−152 °F; 171 K)
Boiling point 87.5 °C (189.5 °F; 360.6 K)
soluble
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 4: Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. E.g. nitroglycerinSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
3
4
Flash point −37 °C; −34 °F; 236 K
Explosive limits 4.1%-50%
Related compounds
Methyl nitrate
Ethylene glycol dinitrate
Isopropyl nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Ethyl nitrate is the ethyl ester of nitric acid and has the chemical formula C2H5NO3. It is a colourless, volatile, explosive, and extremely flammable liquid. It is used in organic synthesis with use as a nitrating agent and as an intermediate in the preparation of some drugs, dyes, and perfumes.[1] Like nitroglycerin, it's a vasodialator.

Ethyl nitrate is found in the atmosphere, where it can react with other gases to form smog. The pollutant was originally thought to have been formed mainly by the combustion of fossil fuels. However recent analysis of ocean water samples reveal that in places where cool water rises from the deep, the water is saturated with alkyl nitrates, likely formed by natural processes.[2]

  1. ^ Schofield, Kenneth (1980). Aromatic nitration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 94. ISBN 9780521233620. OCLC 6357479.
  2. ^ S. Perkins (August 12, 2002). "Ocean yields gases that had seemed humanmade". Science News (only available to subscribers).