Nitrate ester

A nitrate ester is the organic functional group with the formula RONO2, where R stands for any organic residue. They are the esters of nitric acid and alcohols. A well-known example is nitroglycerin, which is not a nitro compound, despite its name. A nitrate ester is the organic functional group with the formula RONO2, where R stands for any organic residue. They are the esters of nitric acid and alcohols. A well-known example is nitroglycerin, which is not a nitro compound, despite its name. Nitrate esters are typically prepared by condensation of nitric acid and the alcohol: For example, the simplest nitrate ester, methyl nitrate, is formed by reaction of methanol and nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid: