peroxyacetyl nitrate Property

Melting point:

-48.5 °C

Boiling point:

225.69°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.438±0.06 g/cm3(Predicted)

refractive index 

1.4264 (estimate)

solubility 

Soluble in pentane, benzene, CCl4, CHCl3, and acetone.

EPA Substance Registry System

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (2278-22-0)

Safety

Hazardous Substances Data

2278-22-0(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

eye-hmn 5 ppm/5M IAPWAR 4,79,61

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

peroxyacetyl nitrate Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Uses

Peroxyacetyl Nitrate is a convenient source of acetyl peroxy radicals; it epoxidizes alkenes; oxidizes aldehydes, thiols and sulfides; acetylates primary amines.

Safety Profile

Poison by inhalation. A human eye irritant. Mutation data reported. Extremely explosive. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.

Synthesis

To a stirred mixture of Peracetic Acid (5 mmol) and 10-15 mL of dry pentane maintained at -5 to 0 °C is added 90% Nitric Acid (1 equiv) and Sulfur Trioxide (30% SO3 in H2SO4, 1 equiv). The reaction mixture is stirred at -5 °C for 3 h and then treated with ice water. The organic layer is dried over MgSO4 at -20 °C. The yield of unpurified Peroxyacetyl Nitrate in pentane solution is 39%.

Precautions

Explosions occur when pure PAN is condensed as a liquid. PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) is thermally unstable above 0 °C. Purified PAN is stored as an N2-diluted gas at 1000 ppm, 100 psi in gas cylinders at 0 °C. Use in a well-ventilated fume hood.