Ethyl nitrite

Ethyl nitrite
IUPAC name	1-Nitrosooxyethane
Other names	Ethyl alcohol nitrite; Nitrous acid, ethyl ester; Nitrethyl
Properties
Molecular formula	C2H5NO2
Molar mass	75.07 g mol−1
Boiling point	17 °C, 290 K, 63 °F
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

The chemical compound ethyl nitrite is an alkyl nitrite. It may be prepared from ethanol.^[1]

Ethyl nitrite is the main ingredient in a traditional ethanol-based South African remedy for colds and flu known as Witdulsies and sold in pharmacies. It is known as a traditional Afrikaans remedy and may have Dutch roots, as the same remedy is apparently made by the Germano-Dutch Amish people in the USA. However FDA has blocked over-the-counter sales of this same remedy, known in the USA as sweet nitrite or sweet spirit of nitre since 1980.^[2]

References

1. ^ Semon, W. L.; Damerell, V. R. (1943), "Dimethylglyoxime", Org. Synth., http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/orgsyn/prepContent.asp?prep=cv2p0204 ; Coll. Vol. 2: 204 
2. ^ http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/Over-the-CounterOTCDrugs/StatusofOTCRulemakings/ucm072140.htm

External links

• WebBook page for ethyl nitrite