Ethyl nitrate

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

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Ethyl nitrate are is found in the atmosphere, where it can react with other gases to form smog. Originally thought to be a pollutant mainly formed by the combustion of fossil fuels, recent analysis of ocean water samples revealed that in places where cool water rises from the deep, the water was saturated with alkyl nitrates, suggesting that they might be formed by natural processes.^[1]

Ethyl nitrate has been prepared by bubbling gaseous FNO₂ through ethanol at -10 °C.^[2] The reaction was subsequently studied in detail.^[3]

References

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