The Vespiary
The Hive => Chemistry Discourse => Topic started by: Elementary on January 31, 2002, 06:24:00 AM
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What would happen if some sodium nitrate contaminated the sodium nitrite in the alkali metal nitrite/ethyl halide preparation of nitroethane ?
What extra things might be formed ?
Could they be easily removed ?
Would it mess up the whole reaction ?
One day I'll understand everything !
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You could end up with explosive alkyl nitrates (nitroglycerin analogs) and nitrate should also be capable of oxidizing free halide ions to the corresponding halogen (bromine/iodine). I don't know if this would present a real-world problem, short of diminished yields, this is only what theoretically could form.