Nitriittiryhmä

Nitriittiryhmä is the Finnish term for the nitrite functional group. It is an anion with the chemical formula NO2-. This group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. The bonding within the nitrite ion is a resonance hybrid, meaning the negative charge is delocalized over both oxygen atoms, and the nitrogen-oxygen bonds have a bond order between one and two. Nitrite is a linear or nearly linear ion. It is often encountered as a salt, such as sodium nitrite (NaNO2) or potassium nitrite (KNO2). Nitrite ions play significant roles in various chemical processes, including organic synthesis and biological systems. In organic chemistry, nitrites can be used as reagents for the diazotization of primary amines, forming diazonium salts which are important intermediates in the synthesis of azo compounds. Biologically, nitrites are involved in the nitrogen cycle, where they are produced by the reduction of nitrates or the oxidation of ammonia by certain bacteria. While beneficial in natural cycles, nitrites can also be a concern in food preservation and water quality, as they can be converted to potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines under certain conditions.