Isopropyl nitrite

Isopropyl nitrite
Clinical data
Other names	Isopropyl alcohol nitrite; nitrous acid, isopropyl ester; 1-methylethyl nitrite; 2-propyl nitrite
ATC code	None;
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S10 (Dangerous substance); BR: Class C1 (Other controlled substances); UK: Controlled Drug (Medicines Act 1968) ; US:Unscheduled (illegal under Crime Control Act of 1990) ;
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 2-propyl nitrite;
CAS Number	541-42-4 ;
PubChem CID	10929 ;
ChemSpider	10466 ;
UNII	2T3Y2PS0ZE ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID3052191 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.007.982
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C3H7NO2
Molar mass	89.094 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image ;
Density	0.8684 g/cm3
Boiling point	40 °C (104 °F)
	SMILES O=NOC(C)C;
	InChI InChI=1S/C3H7NO2/c1-3(2)6-4-5/h3H,1-2H3 ; Key:SKRDXYBATCVEMS-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	(verify)

Last updated December 28, 2025

The chemical compound isopropyl nitrite (or 2-propyl nitrite) is an alkyl nitrite made from isopropanol. It is a clear pale yellow oil that is insoluble in water.^[3]

Applications

Isopropyl nitrite is one of the compounds used as poppers, an inhalant drug that induces a brief euphoria.

Safety

Isopropyl nitrite has been associated with eye maculopathy, visual impairment with central scotomata, bilateral foveal yellow spots, and inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction disruption,^[4] which may be reversible.^[5]

References

↑ Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2024) Instrument 2024 (Cth)
↑ Anvisa (2024-05-28). "RDC Nº 877 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 877 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União. Archived from the original on 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
↑ Lide DR, ed. (2004). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.
↑ Davies AJ, Kelly SP, Naylor SG, Bhatt PR, Mathews JP, Sahni J, et al. (November 2012). "Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of 'poppers maculopathy'". Eye. 26 (11): 1479–1486. doi:10.1038/eye.2012.191. PMC 3496104 . PMID 23079752.
↑ Vignal-Clermont C, Audo I, Sahel JA, Paques M (October 2010). "Poppers-associated retinal toxicity". The New England Journal of Medicine. 363 (16): 1583–5. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1005118 . PMID 20942681.

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[1] Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2024) Instrument 2024 (Cth)

[2] Anvisa (2024-05-28). "RDC Nº 877 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 877 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União. Archived from the original on 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2024-09-25.

[3] Lide DR, ed. (2004). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (85th ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.

[4] Davies AJ, Kelly SP, Naylor SG, Bhatt PR, Mathews JP, Sahni J, et al. (November 2012). "Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of 'poppers maculopathy'". Eye. 26 (11): 1479–1486. doi:10.1038/eye.2012.191. PMC 3496104 . PMID 23079752.

[pmid20942681-5] Vignal-Clermont C, Audo I, Sahel JA, Paques M (October 2010). "Poppers-associated retinal toxicity". The New England Journal of Medicine. 363 (16): 1583–5. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1005118 . PMID 20942681.

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Isopropyl nitrite

Contents

Applications

Safety

References