Preparation of nitrosamines and nitrosamides

Formation of the N-N bond by exchange 1. Preparation of nitrosamines and nitrosamides 

Nitroso derivatives are valuable for characterizing secondary amines and can be used as starting points for the synthesis of A,iV-disubstituted hydrazines. Nitrosamines are usually prepared by the action of nitrous acid on aliphatic 

Alteration of nitrogen groups in carbon-nitrogen compounds 

Most nitrosamines have a neutral reaction and are sparingly soluble in water. However, dimethylnitrosamine is feebly basic, and its hydrochloride can be obtained from its solution in ether. Nitrosamines can usually be distilled in steam or in a vacuum, but explosive decomposition has been observed in such operations.218 

The preparation of a large number of important A-nitroso compounds is described in Organic Syntheses, e.g., A-nitrosodimethylamine,125 1-methyl-l-nitrosourea,219 A-methyl-A-nitrosourethane (ethyl A-methyl-A-nitroso-car-bamate),230 and A-methyl-A-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide.221 The last three of these are intermediates in the preparation of diazomethane. 

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