Kinetics and mechanism of the nitroamine–nitrous acid reaction

Abstract

Nitroamine and nitrous acid react in aqueous perchloric acid to give nitrate ion and nitrogen. The rate equation is Rate =(k₄[NH₂NO₂]+k₅[NHNO₂^–])[H⁺][HNO₂] where k₄= 2.8 × 10^–3 and k₅= 1.6 × 10³dm⁶mol^–2s^–1 at 0 °C, corresponding to attack of the nitrosating agent on the neutral and deprotonated nitroamine molecules. Mechanisms for these reactions are discussed, and the lack of reactivity of the neutral nitroamine molecule is considered.