Any salt or ester of nitrous acid (HNO2). The salts are inorganic compounds with ionic bonds, containing the nitrite ion (NO2^-) and any cation. The esters are organic compounds with covalent bonds, having the structure RONO, in which R represents a carbon-containing combining group and the bonding is from carbon to oxygen. These covalent nitrites are constitutional isomers (see isomerism) of the nitro compounds, nitric acid derivatives (RNO2), in which the bonding is from carbon to nitrogen. Nitrites are used as food preservatives and color enhancers, though they are so toxic they have caused deaths and combine with amines to produce carcinogens. They are used in medicine to dilate blood vessels
the radical -NO2 or any compound containing it (such as a salt or ester of nitrous acid)
The ester of isoamyl alcohol and nitrous acid, a volatile yellow liquid used as a vasodilator and antidote to cyanide poisoning; used illicitly as a sexual stimulant
A volatile yellow liquid, C, formerly used in medicine as a vasodilator, but now replaced by other nitrates, such as nitroglycerin. It is used illicitly to induce euphoria and enhance sexual stimulation
A colorless, volatile liquid, C, that is marketed in some household room deodorizers and used illicitly to induce euphoria and enhance sexual stimulation