Laughing gas

Nitrous oxide

Names
IUPAC name Dinitrogen monoxide
Other names Laughing gas, Sweet air, Protoxide of nitrogen, Hyponitrous oxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	10024-97-2 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	8137358
ChEBI	CHEBI:17045 Y
ChemSpider	923 Y
DrugBank	DB06690 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.017
E number	E942 (glazing agents, ...)
Gmelin Reference	2153410
KEGG	D00102 Y
PubChem CID	948
RTECS number	QX1350000
UNII	K50XQU1029 Y
UN number	1070 (compressed) 2201 (liquid)
InChI InChI=1S/N2O/c1-2-3 Y Key: GQPLMRYTRLFLPF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/N2O/c1-2-3 InChI=1/N2O/c1-2-3 Key: GQPLMRYTRLFLPF-UHFFFAOYAP
SMILES N#[N+][O-]
Properties
Chemical formula	N 2O
Molar mass	44.013 g/mol
Appearance	colorless gas
Density	1.977 g/L (gas)
Melting point	−90.86 °C (−131.55 °F; 182.29 K)
Boiling point	−88.48 °C (−127.26 °F; 184.67 K)
Solubility in water	1.5 g/L (15 °C)
Solubility	soluble in alcohol, ether, sulfuric acid
log P	0.35
Vapor pressure	5150 kPa (20 °C)
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−18.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.000516 (0 °C, 101,325 kPa)
Structure
Molecular shape	linear, C∞v
Dipole moment	0.166 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (So298)	219.96 J K−1 mol−1
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	+82.05 kJ mol−1
Pharmacology
ATC code	N01AX13 (WHO)
Pregnancy category	US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	Inhalation
Pharmacokinetics:
Metabolism	0.004%
Biological half-life	5 minutes
Excretion	Respiratory
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Ilo.org, ICSC 0067
NFPA 704	0 2 0 OX
Flash point	Nonflammable
Related compounds
Related nitrogen oxides	Nitric oxide Dinitrogen trioxide Nitrogen dioxide Dinitrogen tetroxide Dinitrogen pentoxide
Related compounds	Ammonium nitrate Azide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or nitrous, is a chemical compound, an oxide of nitrogen with the formula N
2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless, odorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet taste. At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidizer similar to molecular oxygen.

Nitrous oxide has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. Its name "laughing gas" is due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its recreational use as a dissociative anaesthetic. It is also used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants, and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.

Nitrous oxide occurs in small amounts in the atmosphere, but has been found recently to be a major scavenger of stratospheric ozone, with impact comparable to that of CFCs. It is estimated that 30% of the N
2O in the atmosphere is the result of human activity, chiefly agriculture.

Nitrous oxide can be used as an oxidizer in a rocket motor. This has the advantages over other oxidisers in that it is not only non-toxic, but also, due to its stability at room temperature, easy to store and relatively safe to carry on a flight. As a secondary benefit it can be readily decomposed to form breathing air. Its high density and low storage pressure (when maintained at low temperature) enable it to be highly competitive with stored high-pressure gas systems.