Ethyl nitrate
IUPAC name	Ethyl nitrate
Other names	Nitric acid, ethyl ester
Identifiers
CAS number	625-58-1
PubChem	12259
SMILES	CCO[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
Molecular formula	C2H5NO3
Molar mass	91.07 g/mol
Appearance	Liquid
Melting point	−102 °C
Boiling point	87 °C
Related compounds
Related compounds	Methyl nitrate
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Ethyl nitrate has formula C₂H₅NO₃. It is used in organic synthesis and as an intermediate in the preparation of some drugs, dyes, and perfumes.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[1]

[edit] Preparation

Ethyl nitrate has been prepared by bubbling gaseous nitryl fluoride through ethanol at −10 °C.^[2] The reaction was subsequently studied in detail.^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ S. Perkins (August 12, 2002). "Ocean yields gases that had seemed humanmade". Science News. http://sciencenews.org/articles/20020817/fob8ref.asp. 
2. ^ G. Hetherington and R. L. Robinson (1954). "Nitryl fluoride as a nitrating agent". J. Chem. Soc.: 3512. doi:10.1039/JR9540003512. 
3. ^ B. S. Fedorov and L. T. Eremenko (1997). "Nitration of alcohols by nitryl fluoride". Russian Chemical Bulletin 46 (5): 1022–1023. doi:10.1007/BF02496138.