Trichloronitrosomethane Explained

Trichloronitrosomethane is a chlorinated nitrosoalkane. It is a deep blue liquid with powerful lachrymatory effects.^[1]

Synthesis

Trichloronitrosomethane can be produced with following methods:^[2]

• Oxidation of trichloromethylsulfinic acid with nitric acid.
• Reaction of sodium trichloromethylsulfinate with sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate in sulfuric acid.
• Pyrolysis of trichloroacethydroxamic acid.

Chemistry

Trichloronitrosomethane is an unstable substance. It slowly decomposes into nitrosyl chloride, nitrogen oxides, and chloropicrin over time.

Trichloronitrosomethane can be reduced to phosgene oxime by hydrogen sulfide.

See also

• Chloropicrin
• Trifluoronitrosomethane
• Phosgene oxime

Notes and References

1. Book: Sartori . Mario . The War Gases . 1939 . 164–165. D. Von Nostrand. New York.
2. Sutcliffe . H. . The Synthesis of Trichloronitrosomethane . The Journal of Organic Chemistry . September 1965 . 30 . 9 . 3221–3222 . 10.1021/jo01020a516.