Nitro and nitroso compounds

Nitro compounds are derivatives of organic hydrocarbons having one or more NO₂ groups with nitrogen-to-carbon bonding. They differ from the oxygen-linked nitrites, which are esters. The group lacks enough electrons to form double bonds with both oxygens. However, both oxygens react alike; hence the bond is regarded as a resonance hybrid of single and double bonds.

Aromatic nitro compounds have been used chiefly as dye intermediates, explosives, and Pharmaceuticals. They are formed readily by the reaction of aromatic compounds with nitric acid; H is replaced by the NO₂ group, for example,

Aliphatic nitro compounds are prepared with difficulty and have grown in importance only since the development of vapor-phase nitration of hydrocarbons with nitric acid vapors at 420°C (788°F).

Nitroso compounds contain the NO group attached to carbon or nitrogen. Many are unstable intermediates, for example, nitrosobenzene formed during the reduction of nitrobenzene. See also Nitration.

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