ˈælkaɪl nˈaɪtɹaɪts wɜːɹ ɪnˈɪʃəli, ænd lˈɑːɹdʒli stˈɪl ɑːɹ, jˈuːzd æz mˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃənz ænd kˈɛmɪkəl ɹɪˈeɪdʒənts, ɐ pɹˈæktɪs wˌɪtʃ bɪɡˈæn ɪnðə lˈeɪt nˈaɪntiːnθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi.
Alkyl nitrites were initially, and largely still are, used as medications and chemical reagents, a practice which began in the late 19th century.