Isopropyl nitrite explained

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.[1]

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,[2] which may be reversible.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lide DR . Handbook of Chemistry and Physics . CRC Press . 85th . 2004 . 978-0-8493-0485-9 .
  2. Davies AJ, Kelly SP, Naylor SG, Bhatt PR, Mathews JP, Sahni J, Haslett R, McKibbin M . 6 . Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of 'poppers maculopathy' . Eye . 26 . 11 . 1479–1486 . November 2012 . 23079752 . 3496104 . 10.1038/eye.2012.191 .
  3. Vignal-Clermont C, Audo I, Sahel JA, Paques M . Poppers-associated retinal toxicity . The New England Journal of Medicine . 363 . 16 . 1583–5 . October 2010 . 20942681 . 10.1056/NEJMc1005118 . free .

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