Chemical Properties
CLEAR YELLOW LIQUID
Uses
It is used as pharmaceutical intermediate.
Uses
Butyl nitrite is used in the manufacture of rare earth azides. It is
used as a recreational drug due its vasodilator property.
Definition
ChEBI: Butyl nitrite is a nitroso compound.
General Description
A yellow oily liquid with a pleasant odor. A mixture of isomers (n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl). Slightly soluble in water. Slightly less dense than water. Vapors are much heavier than air. Flash point about 15°F. Toxic by ingestion, mildly toxic by inhalation. Used to make fuel for jet airplanes.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
1-Butyl nitrite si 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.
Health Hazard
May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
Safety Profile
A poison by ingestion
and intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by
inhalation. An irritant. Human systemic
effects by ingestion: methemoglobinemiacarboxyhemoglobinemia. Resembles amyl
nitrite in causing fall in blood pressure,
headache, pulse throbbing, and weakness.
Mutation data reported. Flammable when
exposed to heat or flame or by spontaneous
chemical reaction. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.
See also NITRITES, n-BUTYL
ALCOHOL, and ESTERS
Environmental Fate
Butyl nitrite causes rapid S-nitrosyl glutathione formation and
simultaneously reduces protein thiols, followed by marked
adenosine triphosphate depletion. It also causes lipid peroxidation.
It produces methemoglobinemia in which oxidized
hemoglobin has no oxygen carrying capacity. Also, in the
clinical state of methemoglobinemia, the unaltered hemoglobin
shows an increased affinity for oxygen that results in
symptoms of tissue hypoxia. Cyanosis occurs when methemoglobin
levels are greater than 10%. Levels above 70% are
potentially lethal.
Toxicity evaluation
It is an extremely flammable, insoluble liquid with vapor
pressure of 62 mm Hg and boiling point of 75°C.
