When alcohol is heated with nitric acid alone, there is a partial oxidation of the alcohol, which causes the formation of nitrous acid and then of ethyl nitrite, instead of nitrate. If, however, the nitrous acid is destroyed, as by the addition of urea, the pure ethyl nitrate can be obtained.

Distil 120-150 grams of a mixture consisting of 1 vol. of pure nitric acid (sp. gr. 1401) and 2 vols. of alcohol (sp. gr. 0842), to which 1-2 grams of urea have been added. Heat gently, and collect about seven-eighths. The distillate is shaken with water, and the heavier ester separated from the aqueous liquid. It is purified by washing with a dilute alkali solution, dried for a day or two over calcium chloride, and re-distilled.1

Alternatively, 400 grams of pure nitric acid (sp. gr. 1.40) are heated with 4 grams of urea to destroy lower oxides of nitrogen, then cooled, and mixed with 100 grams of urea nitrate and 300 grams of absolute alcohol. A similar mixture of alcohol and nitric acid is prepared without the urea. The first mixture is distilled until one-half has passed over; then the second mixture is allowed to drop into the retort, and the distillation continued. The nitric ester is separated and purified as before described. The urea nitrate can of course be recovered and used again.2

Ethyl nitrate is a colourless liquid with a pleasant, sweetish odour; it boils at 876° and has the sp. gr. 11123 at 155°. It burns with a very white flame, and will explode if suddenly exposed to a great heat. When reduced with tin and hydrochloric acid, it yields hydroxylamine.