Sodium nitrite

Sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) is an inorganic compound that is commonly used as a reagent and catalyst in synthetic organic chemistry.

Co-catalyst for catalytic oxidation of alcohols under aerobic, solvent-free conditions.

Sodium nitrite can be used as a reagent in:

• The Sandmeyer reaction for converting amines into diazo derivatives, and nitration reaction.
• The oxidative C-C bond formation reaction in the presence of oxygen as the terminal oxidant.
• The oxidative carbonitration of alkenes in the presence of K₂S₂O₈.

It can also be used as a nitrating agent in organic synthesis. For example, NaNO₂ is used in direct C-H nitration, ipso-nitration, and nitration via transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction.