amyl nitrite
Also known as isoamyl nitrite, 3-methylbutyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite, 3-methyl-1-nitrosooxybutane, pentyl alcohol nitrite, poppers, Nitramyl
chemical compound
Key facts
- Other names
- Isoamyl nitrite, Isopentyl nitrite, Nitramyl, 3-methyl-1-nitrosooxybutane, Pentyl alcohol nitrite (ambiguous), poppers (ambiguous, colloquial, slang)
- Atc code
- V03AB22 ( WHO )
- Cas number
- 110-46-3
- Drugbank
- DB01612
- Unii
- 5N0U5TUC9Z
- Kegg
- D00517
- Chebi
- CHEBI:2691
- Comptox dashboard u s environmental prot
- DTXSID9025455
- Formula
- C 5 H 11 N O 2
- Molar mass
- 117.148 g·mol
- 3d model jsmol
- Interactive image
- Density
- 0.872 g/cm
~13 min read
Article
Amyl nitrite is a chemical compound with the formula C5H11NO2. A variety of isomers are known, but they all feature an amyl group attached to the nitrite functional group. The alkyl group (the amyl in this case) is unreactive and the chemical and biological properties are mainly due to the nitrite group. Like other alkyl nitrites, amyl nitrite is bioactive in mammals, being a vasodilator, which is the basis of its use as a prescription medicine. As an inhalant, it also has a psychoactive effect, which has led to its recreational use, with its smell being described as that of old socks or dirty feet.
It was first documented in 1844 and came into medical use in 1867.