ethyl nitrite

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, very volatile, highly aromatic, flammable liquid, C 2 H 2 NO 2 , used chiefly in the preparation of organic substances.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethyl nitrite¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Ethyl nitrite, C2H5NO2, constitutes sweet spirits of nitre when dissolved in alcohol.

From Project Gutenberg

Ethyl nitrite, C2H5�ONO, is a liquid which boils at 18� C.; the crude product obtained by distilling a mixture of alcohol, sulphuric and nitric acids and copper turnings is used in medicine under the name of “sweet spirits of nitre.”

From Project Gutenberg

It is obtained by the distillation of alcohol with nitric and sulphuric acids, and consists essentially of ethyl nitrite with a little acetic aldehyde.

From Project Gutenberg