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Title: Synthesis of aliphatic nitrate esters by reaction of metal nitrates with phosphate esters

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6281633· OSTI ID:6281633

A safe and simple method of synthesizing short-chain alkyl nitrates is described. This method, which should be of general utility, was found to be useful in preparing compounds for studies to determine the fate of organic materials in nuclear fuel reprocessing operations. Nitrate esters of short-chain alkyl alcohols can be conveniently obtained by distilling mixtures of the appropriate trialkyl phosphate with metallic nitrate salts. Runaway reactions are avoided by using only those metal nitrates that initially undergo an endothermic reaction with trialkyl phosphate. The nitrates of lithium, iron(III), and uranium among others, meet this criterion; lithium nitrate was found to be the most convenient. The purity of the product is more dependent on the temperature used and the purity of the nitrate salt than on the specific metal present in the salt. Details of the synthesis of n-butyl nitrate are given as an example of the method.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6281633
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-6736
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English