Butyl nitrite is the
organic compound
In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. Th ...
with the formula CH
3(CH
2)
3ONO. It is an
alkyl nitrite
In organic chemistry, alkyl nitrites are a group of organic compounds based upon the molecular structure , where R represents an alkyl group. Formally they are alkyl esters of nitrous acid. They are distinct from nitro compounds ().
The first ...
made from
''n''-butanol. Butyl nitrite is used recreationally as
poppers
Popper is a slang term given broadly to drugs of the chemical class called alkyl nitrites that are inhaled. Most widely sold products include the original isoamyl nitrite or isopentyl nitrite, and isopropyl nitrite. Isobutyl nitrite is also w ...
. Synonyms include ''1-butyl nitrite'', n''-butyl nitrite'' and ''nitrous acid butyl ester''.
It can be prepared by treating
nitrous acid
Nitrous acid (molecular formula ) is a weak and monoprotic acid known only in solution, in the gas phase and in the form of nitrite () salts. Nitrous acid is used to make diazonium salts from amines. The resulting diazonium salts are reagent ...
(generated ''
in situ
''In situ'' (; often not italicized in English) is a Latin phrase that translates literally to "on site" or "in position." It can mean "locally", "on site", "on the premises", or "in place" to describe where an event takes place and is used in ...
'' with
''n''-butanol.
Applications
Butyl nitrite is one of the compounds used as
poppers
Popper is a slang term given broadly to drugs of the chemical class called alkyl nitrites that are inhaled. Most widely sold products include the original isoamyl nitrite or isopentyl nitrite, and isopropyl nitrite. Isobutyl nitrite is also w ...
,
inhalant
Inhalants are a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or pressurized gases can be concentrated and breathed in via the nose or mouth to produce intoxication, in a manner not intended by the manufacturer. They ...
drugs that induce brief
euphoria
Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and d ...
. It was developed by Clifford Hassing,
a graduate student in Los Angeles, as a faster-acting analog of
alkyl nitrite
In organic chemistry, alkyl nitrites are a group of organic compounds based upon the molecular structure , where R represents an alkyl group. Formally they are alkyl esters of nitrous acid. They are distinct from nitro compounds ().
The first ...
. Among the inhalants' trade names are Rush, Locker Room, and Bolt. They are sometimes marketed as "Cleaner", liquid incense, or room odorizer. It is used for its euphoric effect and for relaxing the
smooth muscles during sexual intercourse.
See also
*
tert-butyl nitrite
''tert''-Butyl nitrite is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)3CONO. A colorless liquid, it is the ''tert''-butyl ester of nitrous acid. It is typically employed as a solution with tert-butyl alcohol.
Use
The compound is used as a reagen ...
References
Antianginals
Antidotes
Alkyl nitrites
Butyl compounds
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