The key difference between alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane is that in alkyl nitrite, the alkyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom, whereas in nitro alkane, the alkyl group binds with the nitrogen atom.
Although the names alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane sound similar, they are two distinct types of organic compounds. Both these compounds have a nitro group and alkyl group in combination, but they differ from each other based on the position where the two groups get attached to each other; in alkyl nitrite, the alkyl group attaches through the oxygen atom, while in nitro alkane, the alkyl group attaches through the nitrogen atom.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Alkyl Nitrite
3. What is Nitro Alkane
4. Side by Side Comparison – Alkyl Nitrite vs Nitro Alkane in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Alkyl Nitrite?
Alkyl nitrites are a group of organic compounds having the structure R-ONO. They are alkyl esters of nitrous acid. The small alkyl nitrite compounds are volatile compounds, and they exist in the liquid state. But methyl nitrite and ethyl nitrite (the smallest alkyl nitrites) are gases at room temperature.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Alkyl Nitrite
Apart from that, alkyl nitrites have a fruity odour. When considering the preparation, we can produce them from alcohols and sodium nitrite. Here, we have to use acidic medium, mostly sulfuric acid is used. However, after the preparation, the compound tends to decompose slowly into oxides of nitrogen and water along with the alcohol. The major application of alkyl nitrite is as medication; for relief from angina and heart-related diseases.
What is Nitro Alkane?
Nitro alkanes are a group of organic compounds having the structure R-NO2. In this compound, the alkyl group binds with the nitrogen atom of the nitro group. Since a nitro group (-NO2) is strongly electron-withdrawing, the adjacent C-H bonds are acidic.
Figure 02: Structure of Nitro Alkane
Typically, we can produce nitro alkanes via free radical nitration of alkanes. When considering the applications, the nitro alkane is important as effective precursors for the production of highly substituted alkanes and alkenes. Moreover, this compound is important for the production of complex molecules including carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, complex heterocyclic structures, etc.
What is the Difference Between Alkyl Nitrite and Nitro Alkane?
Although the names alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane sound similar, they are two distinct types of organic compounds. The key difference between alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane is that, in alkyl nitrite, the alkyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom, whereas in nitro alkane, the alkyl group binds with the nitrogen atom. Alkyl nitrites mostly have a fruity odour but nitro alkane has a distinctive odour. Moreover, the small alkyl nitrites exist in gaseous phase while other alkyl nitrites are in liquid phase; however, nitro alkanes exist as colourless liquids which turn into a slight yellow colour when stored for some time.
When considering the applications, alkyl nitrites are useful as medication for heart diseases and as chemical reagents for the production of different organic compounds. Nitro alkanes are important for the production of highly substituted alkanes and alkenes, complex molecules including carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, complex heterocyclic structures, etc.
Below info-graphic summarizes the difference between alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane.
Summary – Alkyl Nitrite vs Nitro Alkane
Although the names alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane sound similar, they are two distinct types of organic compounds. The key difference between alkyl nitrite and nitro alkane is that in alkyl nitrite the alkyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom whereas in nitro alkane the alkyl group binds with the nitrogen atom.
Reference:
1. “Alkyl Nitrites.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2019, Available here.
2. “Nitro Compound.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Oct. 2019, Available here.
3. Moldoveanu, Serban C. “Pyrolysis of Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds.” Pyrolysis of Organic Molecules, 2019, pp. 349–390., doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-64000-0.00009-3.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Nitrite-ester-2D” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Nitro-group-2D” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia