Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Ethyl nitrite

Ethyl nitrite

Ral123 - 8-4-2013 at 10:49

What do you think, will it work if I generate N2O3(with dilute acid and NaNO2) in hot, oxidizer free environment and bubble it trough pure vodka, above witch again, no oxygen. Will it work and will it be similar to the isopropyl nitrite?

Adas - 8-4-2013 at 11:28

It should work but you would also end up with some HNO2/HNO3 in your solution

And ethyl nitrite is a poison.

woelen - 8-4-2013 at 13:18

Even easier, just dissolve some ethanol in dilute H2SO4, cool the solution and add an ice cold solution of NaNO2. You'll get ethyl nitrite.

I myself did the experiment with methanol instead of ethanol and then you get pure CH3ONO which escapes as a colorless flammable gas (vigorous bubbling), which burns with a grey flame.

I can imagine that CH3CH2ONO forms a liquid layer if the reactants are sufficiently cold, but I never tried making this chemical myself.

Ral123 - 8-4-2013 at 14:00

I kinda doubt the H2SO4 method, as I'll try to breathe the stuff. Vodka impurity is way better then acids and stuff. If It's soluble as MeNO3, then purifying will take quite a bit of the yield. Is the metyl nitrite stable as a gas for long storage? This is one of the few gases, that may be explosive by themselves.

woelen - 8-4-2013 at 23:12

I certainly would noty breathe the organic nitrite! The H2SO4 is not the main problem, because that does not escape from the liquid. The true problem is side reaction in which small amounts of NO and NO2 are formed. You definitely don't want to breathe that!

MeONO is toxic, because of the methyl group. Some of it is converted to MeOH and that, as you most likely know, is quite toxic (may lead to blindness).

So, I warn you, don't do stupid things if you value your lungs and your health in general.

Ral123 - 9-4-2013 at 03:27

Ok, so I'll prepare isopropyl nitrite with H2SO4 and NaNO2, then purify(with cold distilled water) as much as possible, even if it takes 3/4 of the yield and then be careful.

Antiswat - 9-4-2013 at 06:49

breathing? i dont know anything about it but you shouldnt breathstuff you cant find MSDS for

you dont wanna give reason for a 4 in toxicity of a new material, do you? ^^
but if this could function as a gas that would burn with a decent force by itself acting both fuel and all that would be VERY interesting..

neptunium - 9-4-2013 at 08:31

all alkane nitrite are not extremely toxic...they used to be use as drugs called poppers in the 90's they have property simillar to viagra...only the effect of uphoria only last a few seconds and leaves you with a headach..at the exception of methyl nitrite its pretty safe to breath..

Adas - 9-4-2013 at 10:25

Even amyl nitrite is not "safe enough". It still f**ks up the immune system after prolonged use.

Ral123 - 9-4-2013 at 11:04

As long and there aren't nitrogen-nitrogen bonds that tend to be nasty in long term, it shouldn't be that bad.

Adas - 9-4-2013 at 11:55

Quote: Originally posted by Ral123

As long and there aren't nitrogen-nitrogen bonds that tend to be nasty in long term, it shouldn't be that bad.

Why do you think so? The alkyl nitrite is most likely metabolized into NaNO₂ in the body, which is known to create nitrosamines etc.

Really, I recommend you not to experiment with your body this way.

Ral123 - 9-4-2013 at 12:20

Nitrites are naturally occurring and used in meat products. They aren't what would scare me.

Antiswat - 10-4-2013 at 06:47

oh wait poppers.. thought i remembered it from somewhere, i guess it would have same effect as inhaling butane, it should be capable of partially dissolving and easily killing braincells.. bad idea but ohwell we stand in a world with many free choices in a invisible jail

woelen - 10-4-2013 at 07:00

Quote: Originally posted by Ral123

Nitrites are naturally occurring and used in meat products. They aren't what would scare me.

This is a stupid remark. They are used in very small quantities and besides that, organic (covalent) nitrites are very different from ionic nitrites. It is your body and I have nothing to say about that, but I consider it extremely unwise and uncool to possibly damage your body only to experience some stupid effect which lasts for seconds or minutes at most.

Ral123 - 10-4-2013 at 07:04

I'll consult competent people before trying anything then. No hyped vodkas and doped bongs for me

kryss - 10-4-2013 at 13:15

If you do make be aware that as it has a very low BP you probably will inhale it - and then may make you dizzy or even faint depending on on much you inhale

neptunium - 10-4-2013 at 22:17

just like anything else....its ok to do it once so you know what it is and what it does . the danger is in the abuse

chemcam - 12-4-2013 at 21:51

Quote: Originally posted by kryss

If you do make be aware that as it has a very low BP you probably will inhale it - and then may make you dizzy or even faint depending on on much you inhale

This is very true. When I was synthesizing isopropyl nitrite, I got very light headed at first, a nice feeling then not two minutes later I had a terrible head ache. I made it to expirement with the flammability of it not to inhale. If anyone cares I made a short video about its volatility and flammability. All the fire in the video is from maybe 0.25mL
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=8uJ5vEuu7x0

Ral123 - 12-4-2013 at 22:03

You got high and are unsatisfied? Why people don't get headaches from the commercial product? My head is resistant even to EGDN, so that won't be a problem.

chemcam - 12-4-2013 at 22:12

Haha I dont enjoy being high anymore I grew out of that stage long ago. I am not sure about the commercial products as I have never purchased them. Perhaps they weaken it somehow to reduce headache? I can tell you though this was the worst headache of my life, only lasted a min but still it sucked.

Hockeydemon - 1-5-2013 at 23:46

Isopropyl Nitrite isn't fun - I don't know why you're interested in it unless maybe you've been exposed to some cyanide or have angina

. I've experienced it, and it brings about an debilitating headache. There are actual fun drugs out there - this is not one of them.

But for the sake of continuing the chemistry aspect of this conversation..

What about reacting sodium nitrite with amyl alcohol, and then using HCL rather than H2SO4. This way only NaCl is formed, which is easily removed after the reaction. Then use MgSO4 to clean the product up? Wouldn't this give you a better yield?

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Psh I didn't realize this was under the sub-thread energetic materials.. The whole conversation was about inhaling the crap. (I was searching for nitrite reactions to do).

[Edited on 2-5-2013 by Hockeydemon]