Amyl nitrate

Amyl nitrate is the chemical compound with the formula CH3(CH2)4ONO2.

This molecule consists of the 5-carbon amyl group attached to a nitrate functional group.

[1] It is the ester of amyl alcohol and nitric acid.

Alkyl nitrates are employed as reagents in organic synthesis.

[2] Amyl nitrate is used as an additive in diesel fuel, where it acts as an "ignition improver" (cetane improver) by accelerating the ignition of fuel.

Skeletal formula of pentyl nitrate
Ball-and-stick model of the pentyl nitrate molecule