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Uses for Amyl Nitrate

Amyl nitrate is made by condensing amyl alcohol and nitric acid. The chemical formula for amyl nitrate is CH3(CH2)4ONO2. It should not be confused with the recreational drug amyl nitrite, or poppers, which has the formula C5H11ONO. The Chemie De website states, "Amyl nitrate and the drug amyl nitrite are chemically distinct and are not interchangeable." Much online information about amyl nitrate is contradictory, and even some medical literature confuses the two chemical compounds.

  1. Diesel Fuel

    • Amyl nitrate is one of a group of chemical compounds called alkyl nitrates. Alkyl nitrates are reagents, or catalysts, in a process called organic synthesis. Organic synthesis helps diesel to ignite. So amyl nitrate is often added to diesel for this reason.

    Cyanide Poisoning

    • Amyl nitrate can be used as an antidote to hydrogen cyanide poisoning. It can be administered quickly through inhalation and will oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin. The cyanide ion and the methemoglobin form cyanomethemoglogin. This has less affinity to oxygen than the cyanide ion alone, thus releasing oxygen which the rest of the hemoglobin needs to react with. Oxygen is sometimes administered at the same time to increase the effectiveness of using amyl nitrate as an antidote.

    Angina

    • Amyl nitrate is a vasodilator and, as such, is useful in the treatment of angina pectoris. Angina is chest pain caused by narrowed arteries restricting the blood flow. Vasodilators widen the arteries. As amyl nitrate is inhaled, the relief is very fast. As well as other possible side effects, if too much is inhaled at once, it can widen the arteries too much, too quickly and can make the patient feel dizzy as the blood rushes from the head. So care should be taken in this regard. It would be best to take amyl nitrate sitting down.

    Warnings

    • Do not swallow amyl nitrate. If it is accidentally ingested,seek medical attention and induce vomiting as soon as possible. Amyl nitrate is also an irritant to skin and eyes. If contact occurs, wash skin with water and soap. Rinse eyes with water.

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