Amine nitrosation by sodium nitroprusside

Nitrosamine formation from the reaction of nitroprusside with morpholine was found to be a light-dependent reaction. Maximum nitrosation occurred when the reactants were exposed to UV light (lambda = 275-300 nm). However, considerable nitrosation also occurred with light in the visible spectrum up to 500 nm. No significant nitrosamine formation was observed when the reactants were kept in the dark. Data concerning the effects of other physical and chemical factors such as pH, temperature and reactant concentration on the reaction between morpholine and sodium nitroprusside are also presented.