Ethyl nitrate

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 and as an intermediate in the preparation of some drugs, dyes, and perfumes.

Not to be confused with nitroethane or ethyl nitrite.
Ethyl nitrate
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
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
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)
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).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

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.

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