Nitrogen oxides have many uses, including the production of nitric
acid. Most of the oxides of nitrogen, especially NO2, are toxic if inhaled. On the other hand,
nitrous oxide (N2O), although explosive in air, is known as “laughing gas” and is used as an
anesthetic in dentistry and surgery
The nitrogen oxides provide an example of the law of multiple proportions and the +1 to +5 oxidation states of nitrogen. They are as follows: N2O (nitrous oxide), NO
(nitric oxide), N2O3 (nitrogen trioxide or nitrogen
sesquioxide), N2O4 (dinitrogen tetroxide or nitrogen peroxide), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), N2O5 (dinitrogen pentoxide), N3O4 (trinitrogen tetroxide), and
NO
3, which is unstable.
Any of the various compounds
formed between nitrogen and oxygen.
See dinitrogen oxide; nitrogen;
nitrogen dioxide; nitrogen monoxide.
Toxic by inhalation, especially NO2
