Names | |
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IUPAC name
Ethyl nitrate
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Other names
Nitric acid ethyl ester
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Identifiers | |
625-58-1 | |
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
ChemSpider | 11756 |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.009.913 |
PubChem | 12259 |
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Properties | |
C2H5NO3 | |
Molar mass | 91.07 g/mol |
Appearance | colorless liquid |
Density | 1.10g/cm3 |
Melting point | −102 °C (−152 °F; 171 K) |
Boiling point | 87.5 °C (189.5 °F; 360.6 K) |
Decomposes | |
Hazards | |
NFPA 704 | |
Flash point | −37 °C; −34 °F; 236 K |
Explosive limits | 4.1%-50% |
Related compounds | |
Related Alkyl nitrates
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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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what is ?) | (|
Infobox references | |
Ethyl nitrate is the ethyl ester of nitric acid and has the chemical formula C2H5NO3. It is a colourless, volatile, highly flammable liquid. It is used in organic synthesis and as an intermediate in the preparation of some drugs, dyes, and perfumes.
Ethyl nitrate is found in the atmosphere, where it can react with other gases to form smog. Originally thought to be a pollutant, formed mainly by the combustion of fossil fuels, 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.
Ethyl nitrate has been prepared by bubbling gaseous nitryl fluoride through ethanol at −10 °C. The reaction was subsequently studied in detail.