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Nitrous acid (molecular formula HNO2) is a weak monobasic acid known only in solution and in the form of nitrite salts. Nitrous acid is used to make diazides from amines; this occurs by nucleophilic attack of the amine onto the nitrite, reprotonation by the surrounding solvent, and double elimination of water. The diazide can then be liberated as a carbene.
Preparation It can be prepared by adding any mineral acid to sodium nitrite. Decomposition It rapidly decomposes into nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen monoxide and water when in solution. Atmospheric relevance Nitrous acid is an important atmospheric intermediate. It is produced by the heterogeneous reaction of NO2 and water on various surfaces such as atmospheric aerosols. It is readily photolysed to produce hydroxyl radicals which are intricately involved in the ozone budget of the troposphere (lower atmosphere). See also | ||||||||
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