Effect of Nitric Oxide on the Thermal Decomposition of Ethyl Nitrate

Abstract

WE have noted with interest the recent communications of Style et al. regarding the reaction between diethyl peroxide and nitric oxide in the gas phase, and the inhibition of the thermal decomposition of diethyl peroxide¹. It has been customary to assume that nitric oxide inhibits reactions in the gas phase by the removal of active free radicals with the formation of compounds of the type R.NO, where R is the radical. As Style points out, however, inhibition by nitric oxide may not necessarily indicate a free radical mechanism.