Chemical Properties
Isobutyl nitrite is a colourless to pale yellow liquid and has a pleasant and fruity odor.
Uses
Isobutyl nitrite is an alkyl nitrite. It is mainly used in “poppers”, consumed as a recreational drug for their psychoactive effects. Poppers are illegal in many countries, and as a result are commonly sold as air fresheners or deodorizers. Other minor uses of isobutyl nitrite include as an intermediate in the synthesis of aliphatic nitrites, nail polish removers, video head cleaners, fuels, and jet propellants.
Isobutyl nitrite was used to study inhalant-induced immunotoxicity. It is used in the preparation of plasmoquin.
Preparation
Isobutyl nitrite is synthesized by reacting isobutyl alcohol with sodium nitrite in dilute sulfuric acid (NTP, 1996).
Definition
ChEBI: Isobutyl nitrite is a member of nitrite esters. It derives from an isobutanol.
General Description
Isobutyl nitrite is an ester of isobutanol and nitrous acid, which has a various range of household and industrial applications. It is commonly added to a number of household cleaning liquids and air fresheners. As a volatile liquid, it also serves as a "room odorizer" which is widely sold without a prescription.
Besides, Isobutyl nitrite has also been applied in pharmaceuticals, in which it acts as a vasodilator (blood vessel relaxant) and is used medically as part of the emergency antidote for cyanide poisoning.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water. Slowly decomposes in water.
Reactivity Profile
An oxidizing agent but can serve as a reducing agent. May begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation if mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides, nitrides, ammonium salts, cyanides, and many fuels.
Fire Hazard
Isobutylnitrite is flammable.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobutyl_nitrite
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3698454
http://amylnitrite.org/isobutyl
