Summary: A chemistry experiment investigates generating nitrosyl chloride by reacting sodium nitrite with concentrated hydrochloric acid, then attempting to use nitrosyl chloride to convert glycine into chloroacetic acid as suggested by an online reference. The glycine reaction does not yield chloroacetic acid; instead a blue (then emerald-green) nitrogen-containing compound is formed, extractable with ether. The blue compound is hazardous, prone to fuming, skin staining, and exothermic behavior, and reacts with water and alkalis; tests indicate it is a chloronitroso species that can decompose and release nitrogen oxides. The overall result is an interesting but dangerous product, requiring extreme caution.
