Not to be confused with amyl nitrate.
Amyl nitrite
|
|
| Names |
| IUPAC name
(3-methylbutyl) nitrite
|
Other names
Isoamyl nitrite
Nitramyl
3-methyl-1-nitrosooxybutane
Pentyl alcohol nitrite(ambiguous)
Nitrous acid, pentyl ester(ambiguous)
poppers (colloquial, street slang) |
| Identifiers |
|
CAS Registry Number
|
110-46-3 Y |
| ATC code |
V03AB22 |
| ChEBI |
CHEBI:55344 Y |
| ChemSpider |
9632 Y |
| DrugBank |
DB01612 Y |
InChI
-
InChI=1S/C5H11NO2/c1-2-3-4-5-8-6-7/h2-5H2,1H3 Y
Key: CSDTZUBPSYWZDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
-
InChI=1/C5H11NO2/c1-2-3-4-5-8-6-7/h2-5H2,1H3
Key: CSDTZUBPSYWZDX-UHFFFAOYAT
|
| Jmol-3D images |
Image |
| KEGG |
D00517 Y |
| PubChem |
10026 |
| RTECS number |
NT0187500 |
|
|
| UNII |
5N0U5TUC9Z Y |
| Properties |
|
Chemical formula
|
C5H11NO2 |
| Molar mass |
117.15 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance |
Colourless liquid |
| Density |
0.872 g/cm3, liquid (25 °C) |
| Boiling point |
99 °C (210 °F; 372 K) |
|
Solubility in water
|
slightly soluble |
| Hazards |
| Main hazards |
vasodilator |
| Flash point |
21 °C (70 °F; 294 K) |
|
Autoignition
temperature
|
209 °C (408 °F; 482 K) |
| Related compounds |
|
Related compounds
|
Nitroglycerine
Isopentanol
Butyl nitrite
Isobutyl nitrite
Ethyl nitrite
Methyl nitrite
Isopropyl nitrite
Cyclohexyl nitrite |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
| Y verify (what is: Y/N?) |
| Infobox references |
|
|
Amyl nitrite is the chemical compound with the formula C5H11ONO. A variety of isomers are known, but they all feature an amyl group attached to the nitrite functional group. The alkyl group is unreactive and the chemical and biological properties are mainly due to the nitrite group. Like other alkyl nitrites, amyl nitrite is bioactive in mammals, being a vasodilator, which is the basis of its use as a prescription medicine. As an inhalant, it also has a psychoactive effect, which has led to its recreational use.
Contents
- 1 Nomenclature
- 2 Synthesis and reactions
- 3 Physiological effects
- 4 Applications
- 5 References
- 6 External links
Nomenclature
The term "amyl nitrite" encompasses several isomers. For example, a common form of amyl nitrite with the formula (CH3)2CHCH2CH2ONO may be more specifically referred to as isoamyl nitrite. When the amyl group is a linear or normal (n) alkyl group, the resulting amyl nitrite would have the structural formula CH3(CH2)4ONO.
Despite a very similar name to amyl nitrite, amyl nitrate has a different chemical composition and different properties.
Synthesis and reactions
Alkyl nitrites are prepared by the reaction of alcohols with nitrous acid:[1]
- C5H11OH + HONO → C5H11ONO + H2O
The reaction is called esterification. Synthesis of alkyl nitrites is, in general, straightforward and can be accomplished in home laboratories. A common procedure includes the dropwise addition of concentrated sulfuric acid to a cooled mixture of an aqueous sodium nitrite solution and an alcohol. The intermediately-formed stoichiometric mixture of nitrous and nitric oxide then converts the alcohol to the alkyl nitrite, which, due to its low density, will form an upper layer that can be easily decanted from the reaction mixture.
Isoamyl nitrite decomposes in the presence of base to give nitrite salts and the isoamyl alcohol:
- C5H11ONO + NaOH → C5H11OH + NaNO2
Amyl nitrite, like other alkyl nitrites, reacts with carbanions to give oximes.[2]
Amyl nitrites are also useful as reagents in a modification of the Sandmeyer reaction. The reaction of the alkyl nitrite with an aromatic amine in a halogenated solvent produces a radical aromatic species, this then abstracts a halogen atom from the solvent. For the synthesis of aryl iodides diiodomethane is used,[3][4] whereas bromoform is the solvent of choice for the synthesis of aryl bromides.[5]
Physiological effects
Amyl nitrite, in common with other alkyl nitrites,[6] is a potent vasodilator; it expands blood vessels, resulting in lowering of the blood pressure. Alkyl nitrites are a source of nitric oxide, which signals for relaxation of the involuntary muscles. Physical effects include decrease in blood pressure, headache, flushing of the face, increased heart rate, dizziness, and relaxation of involuntary muscles, especially the blood vessel walls and the internal and external anal sphincter. There are no withdrawal symptoms. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, hypotension, hypoventilation, shortness of breath, and fainting. The effects set in very quickly, typically within a few seconds and disappear within a few minutes. Amyl nitrite may also intensify the experience of synesthesia.[7]
Applications
- Amyl nitrite is employed medically to treat heart diseases such as angina. It is also used as an inhalant drug that induces a brief euphoric state, and when combined with other intoxicant stimulant drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy (see MDMA), the euphoric state intensifies and is prolonged. Once some stimulative drugs wear off, a common side effect is a period of depression or anxiety, colloquially called a "come down"; amyl nitrite is sometimes used to combat these negative after-effects. This effect, combined with its dissociative effects, has led to its use as a recreational drug (see poppers).[8]
- Amyl nitrite is also sometimes used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning.[8][9] It can act as an oxidant, to induce the formation of methemoglobin. Methemoglobin in turn can sequester cyanide as cyanomethemoglobin.[10]
- As a cleaning agent and solvent. Used as a solvent in industrial and household applications. It replaced freon-dichlorodifluoromethane that was discontinued in 1995 due to damage to the ozone layer, as a printed circuit board cleaner. A very small amount is added to perfumes, as it will neutralize odors quickly. [11]
References
- ^ Noyes, W. A. (1943). "n-Butyl Nitrite". Org. Synth. ; Coll. Vol. 2, p. 108
- ^ Chen, Y. K.; Jeon, S.-J; Walsh, P. J.; Nugent, W. A. (2005). "(2S)-(−)-3-exo-(Morpholino)isoborneol ((−)-MIB)". Org. Synth. 82: 87.
- ^ Smith, William B.; Ho, Oliver Chenpu (1990). "Application of the isoamyl nitrite-diiodomethane route to aryl iodides". The Journal of Organic Chemistry 55 (8): 2543. doi:10.1021/jo00295a056.
- ^ Cornforth, John; Kumar, Ashok; Stuart, Alan S. (1987). "Synthesis of substituted dibenzophospholes. Part 6. Preparation of symmetrical and non-symmetrical quaterphenyl intermediates". Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: 859. doi:10.1039/P19870000859.
- ^ Cadogan, J. I. G.; Roy, D. A.; Smith, D. M. (1966). "An alternative to the Sandmeyer reaction". Journal of the Chemical Society C: Organic: 1249. doi:10.1039/J39660001249.
- ^ Nickerson, Mark, John O Parker, Thomas P Lowry, and Edward W Swenson. Isobutyl Nitrite and Related Compounds, 1st ed. San Francisco: Pharmex, Ltd, 1979.
- ^ Richard Cytowic, The Man Who Tasted Shapes, 2003.
- ^ a b AJ Giannini, AE Slaby, MC Giannini. The Handbook of Overdose and Detoxification Emergencies. New Hyde Park, NY. Medical Examination Publishing Co., 1982, pp.48-50.
- ^ Cheng, L.; Goodwin, C. A.; Schully, M. F.; Kakkar, V. V.; Claeson, G. (1965). "The Effects of Nitroglycerin and Amyl Nitrite on Arteriolar and Venous Tone in the Human Forearm". Circulation 3 (2): 755–66. PMID 4954412.
- ^ Vale, J. A. (2001). "Cyanide Antidotes: from Amyl Nitrite to Hydroxocobalamin – Which Antidote is Best?". Toxicology 168 (1): 37–38.
- ^ amylnitrite.org Amyl
External links
- Kjonaas, Richard A. (1996). "Amyl: A Misunderstood Word". Journal of Chemical Education 73 (12): 1127. Bibcode:1996JChEd..73.1127K. doi:10.1021/ed073p1127. Editorial on the use of the word "amyl".
|
Alkyl nitrites ("Poppers")
|
|
- Amyl nitrite (isoamyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite)
- Butyl nitrite
- Cyclohexyl nitrite
- Ethyl nitrite
- Hexyl nitrite
- Isobutyl nitrite (2-methylpropyl nitrite)
- Isopropyl nitrite
- Methyl nitrite
|
|
|
|
Antidotes (V03AB)
|
|
Nervous
system |
Nerve agent /
Organophosphate
poisoning |
- Atropine#
- Biperiden
- Diazepam#
- Oximes
- see also: Cholinesterase
|
|
|
Barbiturate
overdose
|
|
|
|
Benzodiazepine
overdose
|
|
|
|
GHB overdose
|
|
|
|
Opioid overdose
|
- Diprenorphine
- Doxapram
- Nalmefene
- Nalorphine
- Naloxone#
- Naltrexone
|
|
|
Reversal of
neuromuscular blockade
|
|
|
|
Circulatory
system |
|
Beta blocker
|
|
|
|
Digoxin toxicity
|
|
|
|
Heparin
|
|
|
|
| Other |
|
Arsenic poisoning
|
|
|
|
Cyanide poisoning
|
- 4-Dimethylaminophenol
- Hydroxocobalamin
- nitrite
- Amyl nitrite
- Sodium nitrite#
- Sodium thiosulfate#
|
|
|
Hydrofluoric acid
|
|
|
Methanol /
Ethylene glycol
poisoning |
- Primary alcohols: Ethanol
- Fomepizole
|
|
|
Paracetamol toxicity
(Acetaminophen)
|
- Acetylcysteine#
- Glutathione
- Methionine#
|
|
|
|
- Dimercaprol#
- Edetates
- Prussian blue#
|
|
|
Other
|
- iodine-131
- Methylthioninium chloride#
- oxidizing agent
- Prednisolone/promethazine
|
|
|
| Emetic |
- Copper sulfate
- Ipecacuanha
|
|
- #WHO-EM
- ‡Withdrawn from market
- Clinical trials:
- †Phase III
- §Never to phase III
|
Index of toxicology
|
|
| Description |
|
|
| Disease |
|
|
| Treatment |
- Antidotes
- Chelating agents
|
|
|
