Hyponitrite

Hyponitrite exhibits cis–trans isomerism. The trans (E) form is generally found in hyponitrite salts such as sodium hyponitrite () and silver(I) hyponitrite (). The cis (Z) form of sodium hyponitrite can be obtained too, but it is more reactive than the trans form. Reactions The hyponitrite ions can act as a bidentate ligand in either bridging or chelating mode. There is a bridging cis-hyponitrite group in the red dinuclear form of nitrosyl pentammine cobalt(III) chloride, [Co(NH3)5NO]Cl2. Hyponitrite can reduce elemental iodine to hydroiodic acid: : + 3 + 3 → + + 6 HI ==Hyponitrite esters==

Organic trans-hyponitrites R1−O−N=N−O−R2 can be obtained by reacting trans silver(I) hyponitrite with various alkyl halides. For example, reaction with tert-butyl chloride yields trans di-tert-butyl hyponitrite. Other alkyl radicals reported in the literature include ethyl, and benzyl. These compounds can be a source of alkoxyl radicals. ==See also==