nitryl chloride

Chemical Properties

Colorless gas; odor of chlorine; liquid and solutions have yellow tinge.

Physical properties

Colorless gas; chlorine-like odor; gas density 2.81 g/L at 100°C; liquefies to a pale-yellow liquid at -14.3°C; density of the liquid 1.33 g/mL; solidifies at -145°C; decomposes above 120°C; reacts with water.

Uses

Nitrating and chlorinating agent in organic syntheses.

Preparation

Nitryl chloride is prepared most conveniently by reacting chlorosulfonic acid with anhydrous nitric acid at 0°C:

An older preparation method involves passing dry chlorine gas slowly over dry silver nitrate heated to about 100°C. The gaseous reaction products are allowed to cool to low temperature. After several hours, nitryl chloride condenses to a pale yellowish-brown liquid. Chlorine is removed by purging with CO₂.
2AgNO₃ + 2Cl₂ → 2NO₂Cl + 2AgCl + O₂.

Definition

ChEBI: Nitryl chloride is a nitro compound in which the nitrogen of the nitro group is bonded to a chlorine. It is used as a nitrating and chlorinating agent in organic synthesis. It has a role as an oxidising agent, an apoptosis inducer and a reagent. It is a nitro compound and a chlorine molecular entity.

Hazard

May explode on contact with organic materials. Corrosive to tissue.

Safety Profile

A poison by inhalation. Acorrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Apowerful oxidizer. The gas or liquid may attack organicmatter with explosive violence. Violent reaction withammonia or sulfur dioxide. Incompatible with tin(II)bromide

Raw materials

Preparation Products