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Related Concept Videos

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO201:20

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2

Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview01:26

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview

Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by water loss...
Nitrosation of Enols01:19

Nitrosation of Enols

The nitrosation reaction is one of the methods of preparing 1,2-diketones. The enol tautomer of the starting ketone reacts with sodium nitrite in hydrochloric acid, generating the 1,2-diketone after hydrolysis.
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism01:37

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism

Nitrous acid is a relatively weak and unstable acid prepared in situ by the reaction of sodium nitrite and cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. In an acidic solution, the nitrous acid undergoes protonation when it loses water to form a nitrosonium ion—an electrophile. Nitrous acid reacts with primary amines to give diazonium salts. The reaction is called diazotization of primary amines.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
08:23

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Published on: February 16, 2022

Naturally-occurring nitro compounds.

Ronald Parry1, Shirley Nishino, Jim Spain

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA. Parry@rice.edu

Natural Product Reports
|December 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores the diverse structures and biological activities of naturally occurring nitro compounds. It also details the biosynthesis of the nitro group in these compounds.

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Analytical Techniques for Assaying Nitric Oxide Bioactivity
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Published on: June 18, 2012

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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
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A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s
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Analytical Techniques for Assaying Nitric Oxide Bioactivity
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Analytical Techniques for Assaying Nitric Oxide Bioactivity

Published on: June 18, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Nitro compounds are a class of organic molecules found in nature.
  • These compounds exhibit significant structural diversity.
  • They are known to possess a broad spectrum of biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on the structural characteristics of naturally occurring nitro compounds.
  • To summarize the established pathways for the biosynthesis of the nitro group in these natural products.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications.
  • Analysis of structural data from diverse natural sources.
  • Compilation of information on biosynthetic pathways.

Main Results:

  • Detailed overview of the structural variety within naturally occurring nitro compounds.
  • Summary of identified biological activities associated with these compounds.
  • Elucidation of key enzymes and mechanisms involved in nitro group biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Naturally occurring nitro compounds represent a rich area of chemical diversity with significant biological relevance.
  • Understanding their biosynthesis provides insights into novel metabolic pathways and potential applications.