Chlorine nitrate, with chemical formula ClONO2 is an important atmospheric gas present in the stratosphere. It is an important sink of reactive chlorine and nitrogen, and thus its formation and destruction play an important role in the depletion of ozone.
Chemical properties
It explosively reacts with metals, metal chlorides, alcohols, ethers, and most organic materials. When it is heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of Cl
2 and NO
x.
Synthesis and reactions
It can be produced by the reaction of dichlorine monoxide and dinitrogen pentoxide at 0 °C:
[Schmeisser, M.; Ruff, J. K. & Lustig, M. Chlorine(1) Nitrate
]
1967, 127-130
- Cl2O + N2O5 → 2 ClONO2
or by the reaction:
- ClF + HNO3 → HF + ClONO2
It can also react with :
- (CH3)2C=CH2 + ClONO2 → O2NOC(CH3)2CH2Cl
Chlorine nitrate reacts with metal :
- 4 ClONO2 + TiCl4 → Ti(NO3)4 + 4 Cl2
