n-Propyl nitrate

Chemical Properties

n-Propyl nitrate is a colorless to pale yellow liquid. Ethereal odor.

Chemical Properties

White to straw-colored liquid; ethereal odor. Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol and ether.

Physical properties

Colorless to light yellow, flammable liquid with an ether-like odor. Odor threshold concentration is 50 ppm (quoted, Amoore and Hautala, 1983).

Uses

Fuel ignition promoter; rocket propellants; organic intermediate.

Uses

Fuel ignition promoter, in rocket fuel formulations, as organic intermediate.

General Description

A white to straw-colored liquid with an ether-like odor. About the same density as water and insoluble in water. Flash point 70°F. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a fuel. Shock sensitive. The shock sensitivity is removed by addition of 1-2% of propane, butane, chloroform, ethyl ether, or methyl ether.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Organonitrates, such as n-Propyl nitrate, range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher temperature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive. Contact with either strong oxidizers or with combustibles may cause fires and explosions.

Hazard

Flammable, severe fire and explosion risk, strong oxidizing material, explosive limits in air 2– 100%. Nausea and headache.

Health Hazard

Exposure can cause anoxia and cyanosis. Other effects are weakness, dizziness, and severe headaches.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic gases and vapors, such as oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide, may be released in a fire.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Inhalation can cause hypotension and methemoglobinemia. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. A shock-sensitive explosive. It can be desensitized by the addition of 1-2% propane, butane, chloroform, dunethyl ether, or dithyl ether. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. Used as a fuel ignition promoter, chemical intermediate, and in the manufacture of rocket fuels. See also NITRATES and ESTERS.

Potential Exposure

Propyl nitrate has been used as an intermediate as a rocket propellant and as an ignition improver in diesel fuels.

Shipping

UN1865 n-Propyl nitrate, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Incompatibilities

Vapor may form explosive mixture with air. Reacts with reducing agents, combustible materials; may be violent. A shock-sensitive explosive. The shock sensitivity is removed by addition of 1%?2% of propane, butane, chloroform, ethyl ether, or methyl ether . May explode on heating. Forms explosive mixtures with com- bustible materials. This material is an organonitrate. They can range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides, and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher tem- perature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive. Contact with either strong oxidizers or with combustibles may cause fires and explosions .

Waste Disposal

Incineration: large quantities of material may require nitrogen oxide removal by catalytic or scrubbing processes . An alternative route suggested involves pouring over soda ash, neutralizing with HCl and flushing to the drain with water.