Many alicyclic nitrosamines act as nitrosating agents under mild conditions (pH 1-3, in the presence of nucleophilic catalysts such as thiocyanate). All nitrosopiperazines, nitrosomorpholines, and nitrosamino acids tested were found to act as nitrosating agents, and certain nitrosopiperidines also showed this capability. Acyclic nitrosaminles are far less reactive than functionally similar cyclic compounds.
