Chlorine nitrate

Chlorine nitrate, with chemical formula ClONO2 is an important atmospheric gas present in the stratosphere. It is an important sink of reactive chlorine and nitrogen, and thus its formation and destruction play an important role in the depletion of ozone.

Chemical properties
It explosively reacts with metals, metal chlorides, alcohols, ethers, and most organic materials. When it is heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of Cl2 and NOx.

Synthesis and reactions
It can be produced by the reaction of dichlorine monoxide and dinitrogen pentoxide at 0 °C:
 * Cl2O + N2O5 → 2 ClONO2

or by the reaction:
 * ClF + HNO3 → HF + ClONO2

It can also react with alkenes:
 * (CH3)2C=CH2 + ClONO2 → O2NOC(CH3)2CH2Cl

Chlorine nitrate reacts with metal chlorides:
 * 4 ClONO2 + TiCl4 → Ti(NO3)4 + 4 Cl2