Synonyms of N2O:	Di nitrogen monoxide, Factitious air, Laughing gas
Molecular formula:	N2O

Physical property of nitrous oxide

Appearance:	Colorless gas with sweetish odour
Melting point:	-90.8 C
Boiling point:	-88.5 C
Vapour density:	vapour 1.5 (air = 1
Vapour pressure:	50.8 bar at 20 C
Critical temperature:	36.4 C

Stability

• Thermal disintegration yields toxic products.
• Incompatible with aluminium, boron oxides, hydrazine, strong reducing agents.
• Oxidant, strongly supports combustion.
• It may react violently with some materials.

Reactivity

• Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases (such as carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen) may be released in a fire involving nitrous oxide.
  
  
• Instability: Nitrous oxide can form an explosive mixture with air.
  
  
• Incompatibilities: Contact of nitrous oxide with aluminum, boron, hydrazine, lithium hydride, phenyl lithium, phosphine, sodium, tungsten carbide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, organic peroxides, ammonia, or carbon monoxide may cause violent reactions to occur.

Exposure sources and control methods

• N2O is used in the formulations of rocket fuel.
• It is also used in the manufacturing process of nitrates from alkali metals.
• N2O is used as an anesthetic gas.
• It is used as a propellant (foaming agent) in whipped creams.
• It is used as a leak detecting agent on natural gas pipelines.
• It also acts as an oxidant for the production of organic compounds.

Storage
Nitrous oxide should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in air tight containers. These containers should be protected from physical damage and stored separately from cylinders containing oxygen. Nitrous oxide should also be stored separately from aluminum, boron, hydrazine, lithium hydride, phenyllithium, phosphine, sodium, tungsten carbide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, organic peroxides, ammonia, and carbon monoxide, as these compounds have high reactivity with Nitrous Oxide.