nitro-

nitro-
  (ˈnaɪtrəʊ)
  combining form of G. νίτον (as in νιτροποιός making nitre), used esp. in a large number of chemical terms. a. In many names of acids, denoting the combination of nitric with an organic acid, as nitro-benzinic, nitro-butyric, nitro-caprylic, nitro-cinnamic, etc.
  Only a few of these combs. are illustrated here.

1845 Chem. Gaz. III. 461 Researches on Azobenzide and *Nitrobenzinic Acid.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 401 Nitric acid converts the butyric into *nitrobutyric acid.

1873 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 688 When boiled with nitric acid, it is converted into *nitro-caprylic acid.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 477 Nitric acid converts it into *nitro⁓cinnamic acid.

1868 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 10) 668 Fuming nitric acid dissolves it, forming..an acid called *nitro⁓frangulic acid.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 243/1 A new acid is formed, which is the *nitrohematic acid.

1858 Thudichum Urine 145 It reappears as *nitrohippuric acid in the urine.

1845 Chem. Gaz. III. 2 *Nitrohumic acid is tetrabasic.

1828–32 Webster, *Nitroleucic, designating an acid obtained from leucine acted on by nitre. 1847 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 165/1 A crystalline nitroleucic acid is formed.

1850 Ogilvie, *Nitromeconic acid, an acid formed by the action of strong nitric acid, aided by a gentle heat, on meconine.

Ibid., *Nitronaphthalic acid, an acid obtained by the action of alkalies on nitro-naphthalise.

1846 Chem. Gaz. IV. 237 The *nitrophenesic acid was prepared by treating pure hydrate of phenyle with nitric acid.

1845 Chem. Gaz. III. 229 In this manner *nitrophenissic acid is obtained in six-sided prisms. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 571 Carbazotic,..nitro-phenisic, or picric acid.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 243/1 The protoxide of iron, separated, becomes peroxide at the expense of the *nitropicric acid.

1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. II. 405/2 A peculiar crystallisable compound,..which he calls the *nitro-saccharic acid.

1847 Chem. Gaz. V. 214 Salicylic acid, when treated with sulphuronitric mixture, yields at first indigotic (*nitro⁓ salicylic) acid.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 399 When valeric acid is boiled..a great part is converted into *nitro⁓valeric acid.

1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 245 His *nitro-vitriolic acid also dissolves it.

  b. In many names of chemical compounds or groupings, denoting the presence of the nitrogrouping NO₂ in place of hydrogen, as nitro-aniline, nitro-anisol, nitro-benzamide, nitro-benzoate, etc. nitroˈfuran, any of the furans having a nitro group attached to one of the carbon atoms of the furan ring, some of which (with the nitro group attached to a carbon atom next to the oxygen atom) are used as bacteriostatics; nitroˈmethane, an oily liquid, CH₃NO₂, which is used as a solvent, as a rocket fuel, and in the production of nitro-compounds; nitroˈphenol, any compound containing a nitro and a phenolic hydroxyl group; esp. any of the three possible compounds, C₆H₄(NO₂)OH, obtained by substituting a nitro group for one of the nuclear hydrogen atoms of phenol, spec. 2- (or ortho-)nitrophenol, a yellow crystalline compound used as a dyestuff intermediate, and 4- (or para-)-nitrophenol, a colourless or yellow crystalline compound used in the manufacture of phosphorus-containing pesticides and azodyes; nitroˈtoluene, any of the four possible compounds, C₇H₇NO₂, obtained by substituting a nitro group for one of the hydrogen atoms of toluene, two of which (the ortho and para isomers) are used as intermediates for dyestuffs.

1892 Syd. Soc. Lex., *Nitro-anilin. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 952 The presence of aniline, nitro-aniline or some coloured product due to the reduction of the nitro-benzole.

1854 Fownes Chem. (ed. 5) 609 Three substitution-products, *nitro–, binitro-, and trinitro-anisol.

1848 Chem. Gaz. VI. 420 It is probably the *nitrobenzamide recently described by Field, which he obtained by heating the *nitrobenzoate of ammonia.

1844 Ibid. II. 185 Benzonitril is therefore isomeric with Laurent's *nitrobenzoile.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 306 *Nitro-benzol and dinitro-benzol.

1847 Chem. Gaz. V. 215 Cumene, treated with fuming nitric acid, yields *nitro-cumene and binitrocumene. 1868 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 10) 579 Cold fuming nitric acid converts it into liquid nitro⁓cymene.

1930 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. LII. 2550 In connection with the preparation of aminofurans and their diazo⁓compounds, it was necessary to have a series of readily accessible *nitrofurans and their derivatives. 1950 Jrnl. Pharmacol. & Exper. Therap. XCVIII. 163 Of the nitrofurans fed in this study, the ones which result in appreciable antibacterial activity in the urine are characterized by a side-chain of the semicarbazone, semi⁓oxamazone, or closely related type in the 2-position of the furan ring. 1959 Times 7 Dec. (Agriculture Suppl.) p. vii/4 To prevent coccidiosis in chickens, nitrophenid, a sulfonamide, or a nitrofuran is added to the feed. 1970 W. H. Parker Health & Dis. in Farm Animals xiii. 180 When the vaccine is used antibiotics and nitrofurans must only be used..for calves showing actual symptoms.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 243/1 The *nitrohematate of ammonia.

Ibid., The *nitroleucate of lime and of magnesia.

1849 Maule in Q. Jrnl. Chem. Soc. II. 116 For which I propose the name *Nitromesidine, instead of Nitromesitilidine.

1872 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XXV. 804 *Nitromethane is a heavy oil, of a peculiar odour; it boils at 99°. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 225 Methyl-nitrite and nitro⁓methane have the same formula. 1950 Sci. News XV. 78 A third group..is the monergols, which contain the oxygen needed for their own combustion. Members of this group, such as nitromethane (CH3NO2), tend to be unstable, and research is now being intensively carried out with the object of making them safe to handle. 1972 Materials & Technol. IV. xv. 548 Nitromethane is used as a solvent for cellulose esters and vinyl resins.

1836 R. D. & T. Thomson Rec. Gen. Sci. III. 295 *Nitro-naphthalase is formed by the action of boiling nitric acid upon naphthaline.

1866 Watts Dict. Chem. IV. 48 *Nitronaphthalene.

1836 R. D. & T. Thomson Rec. Gen. Sci. III. 296 *Nitro-naphthalese may be formed by boiling the preceding [nitro-naphthalase] with nitric acid for a long time.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 574 A sulphur-yellow compound, termed *nitro⁓naphthalin.

1892 Morley & Muir Watts' Dict. Chem. II. 578/1 Primary *nitro-paraffins.

1852 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 4) 646 Nitrophenasic acid = *Nitrophenol. 1905 Cain & Thorpe Synthetic Dyestuffs xviii. 149 The formation of these compounds [sc. the Nigrosines] is brought about by heating crude nitrophenol..with aniline and aniline hydrochloride. 1949 P. W. Vittum tr. Fierz-David & Blangey's Fund. Proc. Dye Chem. i. 148, o- and p-nitrophenols are the starting materials for o- and p-phenetidine and anisidine. 1972 Materials & Technol. IV. xv. 554 The nitrophenols are extremely hazardous materials; not only as a fire risk but also because the polynitrophenols are explosive.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 243/2 *Nitrosaccharate of potash..crystallizes in needles.

1868 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 10) 686 Very strong nitric acid..converts sugar into *nitrosaccharose.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 288 Strychnia..yields a nitrate or a new substitution-base, *nitrostrychnia.

Ibid. 292 Of these [products] the most remarkable are amalic acid.., and *nitro-theine or cholestrophan.

1871 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XXIV. 871 (table) *Nitrotoluene. 1915 Dyestuffs & Coal-Tar Products i. 24 2-Nitrotoluene may be..reduced to o-azoxytoluene, which is then acidified..and reduced to tolidine sulphate. 1964 N. G. Clark Mod. Org. Chem. xix. 377 A substituent in the side-chain of toluene may be designated ‘α-’; for example, α-nitrotoluene, C6H5.CH2.NO2. 1972 Materials & Technol. IV. xv. 551 para-Nitrotoluene, a brownish-yellow solid.., is employed in the manufacture of para-toluidine.

1854 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 5) 615 Toluol..with nitric acid yields two products, *nitrotoluol..and binitrotoluol.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 628 If cold dilute nitric acid be employed, nitrate of *nitrotyrosine..is formed.

  c. In certain names of minerals, as nitrobarite (see quot.); nitrocalcite, native calcium nitrate; nitroglauberite, a compound of sodium nitrate and sodium sulphate; nitromagnesite, native magnesium nitrate.

1882 Amer. Nat. XVI. 78 Groth describes a natural nitrate of Baryta from Chili... An appropriate..name for this mineral would be *Nitrobarite.

1835 Shepard Min. II. 84 *Nitrocalcite..is found in silky efflorescenses. 1861 Briton Gloss. 260 Nitrocalcite..dissolves in one-fourth its weight of water.

1885 Cassell's Encycl. Dict., *Nitroglauberite, a mineral found in fibrous translucent masses, consisting of imperfect crystals. 1892 Dana Min. (ed. 6) 873 Nitroglauberite... From the desert of Atacama.

1835 Shepard Min. II. 85 *Nitromagnesite. Magnesian earthysalt. 1893 Chapman Blowpipe Pract. 194 Nitromagnesite..closely resembles nitrocalcite.

  d. In miscellaneous combs., and without hyphen as quasi-adj., as nitro-ˈacid, a compound of nitric with an organic acid; † nitro-aˈluminous a., partaking of the natures of nitre and alum; † nitro-atmoˈspherical a. = nitro-aerial a.; nitrobacˈterium [ad. F. nitrobactérie (S. Winogradsky 1891, in Ann. de l'Inst. Pasteur V. 92)], any nitrifying bacterium; esp. one of the genus Nitrobacter, which oxidizes nitrites to nitrates; nitroˈcellulose, a compound of nitric acid and cellulose; ˈNitrochalk, ˈnitro-chalk, the proprietary name of a fertilizer consisting of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and calcium carbonate; ˈnitro-compound, a compound substance resulting from the action of nitric acid; any compound containing a nitro group; nitro-ˈcotton, cotton treated with nitric acid; nitro-exˈplosive, an explosive prepared by means of nitric acid; nitro-ˈgelatine (see quot.); nitro group, the radical {b1}NO₂, present in nitric acid; ˈnitrolim(e [lime n.¹], calcium cyanamide, or a mixture of it with carbon, obtained by treating calcium carbide with nitrogen and used as a fertilizer; nitro-ˈmetal (see quot.); † nitro-neutral a., forming a nitrate without free nitric acid; nitro-ˈpowder, a gunpowder prepared by means of nitric acid; nitro-ˈsubstitute, a compound in which nitrogen peroxide is substituted for hydrogen; so nitro-substiˈtution; † nitro-tarˈtareous a., of the nature of nitre and tartar.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 307 Many of the *nitro-acids obtained in this manner are yellow, and yield salts which have a yellow colour.

1670 W. Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 132 It consists of three ingredients, viz. the *nitro-aluminous salt.

1793 Beddoes Calculus, etc. 258 Was not Mayow..infinitely nearer the truth..when he imputed muscular motion to the effervescence of his *nitro-atmospherical particles?

1891 Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc. 680 M. Winogradsky, who at one time ascribed the nitrifying faculty to a single species of bacteria.., has..satisfied himself that morphological differences exist in these organisms, and they are now classed together in a group of ‘*Nitrobacteria’, the common characteristic of which is the oxidation of the ammoniacal nitrogen. 1906 E. W. Hilgard Soils ix. 146 The oxidation of the nitrites into nitrates by..rod-shaped bacilli, named nitrobacteria. 1965 B. E. Freeman tr. Vandel's Biospeleology xix. 335 The nitrobacteria have the effect of mineralising proteins.

1882 Allen Comm. Org. Anal. II. 366 The various *nitro-celluloses are soluble in strong caustic soda, undergoing partial saponification with formation of cellulose and sodium nitrate. 1911 E. C. Worden Nitrocellulose Industry I. xiii. 459 The nitrocellulose silks dissolve in concentrated sulphuric acid. 1931 Economist 28 Feb. 431/2 There is reason to believe that nitro-cellulose, lacquers, oils..are all being manufactured or obtained in France. 1955 F. D. Miles Cellulose Nitrate vi. 221 On account of its capacity to swell in nitroglycerine and to absorb it, nitrocellulose is an almost indispensable component of both the two principal classes of explosive—blasting explosives..and propellant explosives. 1962 F. T. Day Introd. to Paper v. 53 Nitrocellulose finishing is now an established process for printing work, the smooth and polished surface being obtained by coating on the machine. 1972 Materials & Technol. V. xi. 336 Nitrocellulose paints and varnishes dry very fast to give hard, flexible, and reasonably durable films.

1927 Daily Express 7 Dec. 12/4 To replace Chilean nitrate we shall make..*nitrochalk, a rich mixture of nitrogen and calcium. 1936 Trade Marks Jrnl. 4 Nov. 1355/1 Nitro-Chalk... Artificial fertilisers for soils... I.C.I. (Fertilizer & Synthetic Products) Limited,..London,..manufactures. 1954 Jrnl. Brit. Grassland Soc. IX. 323 (heading) The influence of ‘Nitro-Chalk’ on established lucerne leys. 1966 Webster & Wilson Agric. in Tropics viii. 197 It would seem wise to consider other types of nitrogenous fertilizer, such as nitro-chalk (15·5 per cent N) or ammonium nitrate.., as alternatives to the long-continued use of sulphate of ammonia.

1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 306 The production of *nitro-compounds corresponding to nitro-benzol and dinitro-benzol. 1892 Greener Breech Loader 160 The explosive used in shot guns is either black gunpowder..or a nitro-compound (carbon base, treated with nitric and sulphuric acids). 1928 Adkins & McElvain Elem. Org. Chem. x. 101 Many of these nitro compounds are of considerable importance. 1962 P. J. & B. Durrant Introd. Adv. Inorg. Chem. xix. 679 The nitro compounds are made by the action of silver nitrite on the alkyl iodide.

1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 957 For the ‘Kieselguhr’..he substituted *nitro-cotton.

1884 Knight Dict. Mech. Suppl. 635/2 *Nitrogelatine, an explosive agent invented by Nobel, formed by dissolving gun-cotton in nitroglycerine, with camphor added.

1886 E. F. Smith tr. V. von Richter's Chem. Carbon Compounds 79 The *nitro-group always exerts such an acidic influence upon hydrogen linked to carbon. 1938 C. D. Hurd in H. Gilman Org. Chem. I. vii. 628 The peculiar activity of the fourth nitro group in C(NO2)4 should be mentioned. 1964 J. W. Linnett Electronic Struct. Molecules iv. 65 There is much evidence which suggests that the nitro-group (NO2) is a very stable group in many different molecules.

1908 Trans. Faraday Soc. IV. 104 A great outcry was, and still is, made warning farmers against the use of calcium cyanamide, popularly known as *nitrolim, or at least advising that it should be employed with the utmost caution. 1909 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XCVI. 893 (heading) Formation of ‘Nitrolime’. 1923 J. Hendrick Farmer's Raw Materials x. 156 When nitrolim is applied to the soil its nitrogen quickly turns to ammonia, and the ammonia in turn changes to nitrate. 1962 J. H. White Inorg. Chem. xxi. 331 Nitrolime is a soluble fertilizer, rich in nitrogen.

1895 Thomson & Bloxam Chem. 155 No. 2 is absorbed by many finely divided metals, forming compounds called *nitro-metals.

1782 Kirwan in Phil. Trans. LXXIII. 48 The decomposition of *nitro-neutral salts by the marine acid depends on the same principles.

1892 Greener Breech Loader 163 *Nitro powders possess various advantages over black, the chief being the absence of smoke after the discharge. 1894 Field 9 June 814/3 Recent trials of nitro powders in an 8-bore gun.

1862 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. (ed. 2) 942 *Nitrosubstitutes of sugar, starch, &c.

1867 Bloxam Chem. 128 The spaces thus left vacant have been filled up by the nitric peroxide.., producing what is termed a *nitro-substitution compound.

1663 Boyle Usef. Exp. Nat. Philos. ii. v. ii. 126 By this *Nitro-Tartareous Salt..those Vegetables, whose Juice affords it..may be discriminated from those many others, from whence it is not to..be obtained.

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