PRODUCTS

NITROMETHANE

Nitromethane is also used as a solvent for acrylate monomers.
Nitromethane is used by consumers, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing and at industrial sites.
Nitromethane is used in the following products: air care products, fuels and cosmetics and personal care products.

CAS Number: 75-52-5
EC Number: 200-876-6
MDL Number: MFCD00007400
Molecular Formula: CH3NO2
Molecular Weight: 61.040 g/mol

SYNONYMS:
methane, nitro, nitrocarbol, nitrometan, nitrometan polish, nitro-methane, unii-ru5wg8c3f4, ccris 1205, hsdb 106, meno2, ru5wg8c3f4, Nitromethane, Nitromethane, Nitrocarbol, NITROMETHANE, 75-52-5, Methane, nitro-, Nitrocarbol, Nitrometan, RU5WG8C3F4, DTXSID2020977, CHEBI:77701, NSC-428, DTXCID40977, NSC428, 200-876-6, CH3NO2, NITROMETHANE (15N), nitro methane, nitro-methane, NSC 428, MFCD00007400, 23717-53-5, MeNO2, Nitrometan [Polish], CCRIS 1205, HSDB 106, EINECS 200-876-6, UN1261, UNII-RU5WG8C3F4, nitrometane, Methane, nitro-,ion(1-) (8CI,9CI), AI3-00111, nitro- methane, Nitromethane, ACS, Nitro fuel (Salt/Mix), Nitromethane, 99.0%, NITROMETHANE [MI], Nitromethane, HPLC grade, Nitromethane [UN1261] [Flammable liquid], SCHEMBL525, CH2NO2, NO2CH3, EC 200-876-6, NITROMETHANE [HSDB], NITROMETHANE [IARC], WLN: WN1, SCHEMBL66324, NITROMETHANE [USP-RS], SCHEMBL119288, CHEMBL276924, SCHEMBL7312821, SCHEMBL8622641, SCHEMBL29437697, Nitromethane, analytical standard, Nitromethane, reagent grade, 96%, Nitromethane, for HPLC, >=96%, NAA03132, Tox21_200822, BR1297, Nitromethane, ACS reagent, >=95%, STL185630, AKOS009031372, UN 1261, CAS-75-52-5, NCGC00091494-01, NCGC00091494-02, NCGC00258376-01, BP-14099, InChI=1/CH3NO2/c1-2(3)4/h1H, Nitromethane, ReagentPlus(R), >=99.0%, Nitromethane, SAJ first grade, >=90.0%, N0019, N0209, N0239, NS00001985, C19275, A838443, Q407733, F1908-0092, Nitromethane, puriss., absolute, over molecular sieve (H2O <=0.01%), >=98.5% (GC), Nitromethane, Nitrocarbol, CH3NO2, Nitrometan, UN 1261, NM, NSC 428, NM-55, Nitrofuel, Nitrometan, NITROMETHAN, nitro-methan, Nitromethane, Methane,nitro-, methane,-nitro-, nitrometan(polish)

Nitromethane appears as a colorless oily liquid.
Flash point of Nitromethane is 95 °F.
Nitromethane may violently decompose if intensely heated when contaminated.

Nitromethane is Denser than water and slightly soluble in water.
Nitromethane hence sinks in water.
Vapors of Nitromethane are heavier than air.

Nitromethane is a primary nitroalkane that is methane in which one of the hydrogens is replace by a nitro group.
Nitromethane is a polar solvent (b.p. 101 ℃), it is an important starting material in organic synthesis.
Nitromethane has a role as an EC 4.3.1.3 (histidine ammonia-lyase) inhibitor, a polar aprotic solvent, an explosive and a NMR chemical shift reference compound.

Nitromethane is a primary nitroalkane and a volatile organic compound.
Nitromethane is a colorless, oily, highly flammable liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor that emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides upon decomposition.

Nitromethane is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 10 to < 100 tonnes per annum.
Nitromethane has the formula CH3NO2.

Nitromethane is a little like gasoline that has been pre-mixed with nitrous oxide.
The fuel comes with its own oxygen atoms to help it burn.
The big advantage of nitromethane is that you can get a lot more power from each explosion inside the engine.

Pound for pound, nitromethane is less energetic than gasoline, but you can burn a lot more nitromethane in a cylinder.
The net result is more power per stroke.
You typically need about 15 pounds of air to burn 1 pound of gasoline, whereas you need only 1.7 pounds of air to burn 1 pound of nitromethane.

This means that, compared to gasoline, you can pump about 8 times more nitromethane into a cylinder of a given volume and still get complete combustion.
Since nitromethane is not as dense as gasoline in terms of energy, you do not get an 8-time improvement in terms of power.

It is more like a 2.5-time improvement (see this page for a comparison).
Still, you can double or triple your engine's horsepower simply by changing the fuel.
That's a huge improvement!

A typical drag-racing engine has a displacement of 8.9 liters, is supercharged and produces about 6,000 horsepower.
It can burn close to a gallon (4 liters) of nitromethane per second!
To put that in perspective, there is something like 2 teaspoons (10 cc) of nitromethane being poured into each cylinder per intake stroke.

An interesting thing about nitromethane is that it does not burn as quickly as gasoline.
In fact, there is not enough time to burn all of the nitromethane between when the spark plug fires and when the exhaust valve opens.
So the engine is pumping still-burning nitromethane into the exhaust pipe.

That's why you see flames shooting out of the exhaust of a drag-racing car.
Nitromethane, sometimes shortened to simply "nitro", is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3NO2.
Nitromethane is the simplest organic nitro compound.

It is a polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications suchNitromethane as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent.
As an intermediate in organic synthesis, Nitromethane is used widely in the manufacture of pesticides, explosives, fibers, and coatings.

Nitromethane is used as a fuel additive in various motorsports and hobbies, e.g. Top Fuel drag racing and miniature internal combustion engines in radio control, control line and free flight model aircraft.
Nitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3NO2.

Nitromethane is the simplest organic nitro compound.
Nitromethane is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent.

USES and APPLICATIONS of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane can be used as a rocket fuel, as a solvent for nitric acid fiber and acetic acid fiber, and can also be used in the coating industry.
Nitromethane can be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, vinyl resin, polyacrylate coating and beeswax.

Nitromethane can also be used to synthesize explosives, rocket fuels, pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, fungicides, stabilizers and gasoline additives.
Former uses of Nitromethane: Nitromethane formerly was used in the explosives industry as a component in a binary explosive formulation with ammonium nitrate and in shaped charges, and it was used as a chemical stabilizer to prevent decomposition of various halogenated hydrocarbons.

Nitromethane can be used as an explosive, when gelled with several percent of gelling agent.
The principle use of nitromethane is as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents, which are used in dry cleaning, semiconductor processing, and degreasing.

Other release to the environment of Nitromethane is likely to occur from: indoor use as processing aid and outdoor use as processing aid.
Nitromethane is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products, laboratory chemicals, air care products, fuels and cosmetics and personal care products.

Nitromethane is used in the following areas: health services and scientific research and development.
Other release to the environment of Nitromethane is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use as processing aid.

Nitromethane is used in the following products: air care products, fuels and cosmetics and personal care products.
Release to the environment of Nitromethane can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Nitromethane is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products and laboratory chemicals.

Nitromethane is used in the following areas: health services and scientific research and development.
Nitromethane is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.

Release to the environment of Nitromethane can occur from industrial use: as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), in processing aids at industrial sites and as processing aid.
Nitromethane is used to make industrial antimicrobials and pharmaceuticals, and is also used as a soil fumigant and as a fuel in race car engines.

Nitromethane is also used as a fuel for rockets and radio-controlled models.
Nitromethane is used as a stabilizer of halogenated organic solvents, rocket and racing fuel and a chemical intermediate.
Nitromethane is also used as a solvent for cyanoacrylate adhesives, polymers and waxes.

Nitromethane serves as a Michael donor, adding to alfa,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds through 1,4-addition in the Michael reaction.
Nitromethane acts as a solvent used for extractions, reaction medium and as a cleaning solvent.
Further, Nitromethane is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, explosives, fibers and coatings.

As an intermediate in organic synthesis, Nitromethane is used widely in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, explosives, fibers, and coatings.
Nitromethane is also used as a racing fuel.

The dominant use of nitromethane is as a precursor reagent.
A major derivative is chloropicrin (CCl3NO2), a widely used pesticide.
Nitromethane condenses with formaldehyde (Henry reaction) to eventually give tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane ("tris"), a widely used buffer and ingredient in alkyd resins.

-Solvent and stabilizer uses of Nitromethane:
The major application of Nitromethane is as a stabilizer in chlorinated solvents.

As an organic solvent, nitromethane has an unusual combination of properties: highly polar (εr = 36 at 20 °C and μ = 3.5 Debye) but aprotic and weakly basic.

This combination makes Nitromethane useful for dissolving positively charged, strongly electrophilic species.
Nitromethane is a solvent for acrylate monomers, such as cyanoacrylates (more commonly known as "super-glues").

-Nitromethane is used as an engine fuel
In a minor application, nitromethane is used as a fuel in racing, particularly drag racing, as well as for rockets and RC Models.
In car racing, nitromethane is commonly referred to as "nitro," "top fuel," or just "fuel".

The oxygen content of nitromethane enables it to burn with much less atmospheric oxygen in comparison to hydrocarbons such as gasoline:
4CH3NO2 + 3O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O + 2N2
14.6 kg of air are required to burn one kg of gasoline, but only 1.7 kg of air for one kg of nitromethane.

Since an engine’s cylinder can only contain a limited amount of air on each stroke, 8.7 times more nitromethane than gasoline can be burned in one stroke.
Nitromethane, however, has a lower energy density: Gasoline provides about 42-44 MJ/kg whereas nitromethane provides only 11.3 MJ/kg.

Nitromethane can also be used as a monopropellant, i.e. a fuel that burns without added oxygen.
The following equation describes this process:
4 CH3NO2 → 4 CO + 4 H2O + 2 H2 + 2 N2

Nitromethane has a laminar combustion velocity of approx. 0.5 m/s, somewhat higher than gasoline, thus making it suitable for high speed engines.
Nitromethane also has a somewhat higher flame temperature of about 2400 °C.

The high heat of vaporisation of 0.56 MJ/kg together with the high fuel flow provides significant cooling of the incoming charge (about twice that of methanol), resulting in reasonably low temperatures.
Nitromethane is usually used with rich air/fuel mixtures because it provide power even in the absence of atmospheric oxygen Otherwise, rich mixtures cause ignition problems and a lower combustion speed.

When rich air/fuel mixtures are used, hydrogen and carbon monoxide are two of the combustion products.
These gases often ignite, sometimes spectacularly, when they and any unburned fuel contacts atmospheric oxygen at the end of the exhaust pipes.

A small amount of hydrazine blended in nitromethane can increase the power output even further.
With nitromethane, hydrazine forms an explosive salt that is again a monopropellant.
This unstable mixture poses a severe safety hazard.

In model aircraft and car glow fuel, the primary ingredient is generally methanol with some nitromethane (0% to 65%, but rarely over 30% since nitromethane is expensive compared to methanol) and 10–20% lubricants (usually castor oil or a synthetic oil).

Even moderate amounts of nitromethane tends to increase the power created by the engine (as the limiting factor is often the air intake), making the engines easier to tune (adjust for the proper air/fuel ratio).
During combustion, this fuel produces a characteristic blue smoke.

-Fuel uses of Nitromethane:
Although a minor application in terms of volume, nitromethane also is used as a fuel or fuel additive for sports and hobby.
For some applications, it is mixed with methanol in racing cars, boats, and model engines.

Nitromethane is used as a fuel in motor racing, particularly drag racing, as well as for radio-controlled model power boats, cars, planes and helicopters.
In this context, nitromethane is commonly referred to as "nitro fuel" or simply "nitro", and is the principal ingredient for fuel used in the
"Top Fuel" category of drag racing.
The oxygen content of nitromethane enables it to burn with much less atmospheric oxygen than conventional fuels.

During nitromethane combustion, nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major emission products along with CO2 and H2O.
Nitric oxide contributes to air pollution, acid rain, and ozone layer depletion.

Recent (2020) studies suggest the correct stoichiometric equation for the burning of nitromethane is:
4 CH3NO2 + 5 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O + 4 NO
The amount of air required to burn 1 kg (2.2 lb) of gasoline is 14.7 kg (32 lb), but only 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) of air is required for 1 kg of nitromethane.

Since an engine's cylinder can only contain a limited amount of air on each stroke, 8.6 times as much nitromethane as gasoline can be burned in one stroke.
Nitromethane, however, has a lower specific energy: gasoline provides about 42–44 MJ/kg, whereas nitromethane provides only 11.3 MJ/kg.

This analysis indicates that nitromethane generates about 2.3 times the power of gasoline when combined with a given amount of oxygen.
Nitromethane can also be used as a monopropellant, i.e., a propellant that decomposes to release energy without added oxygen.

Nitromethane was first tested as rocket monopropellant in 1930s by Luigi Crocco [it] fom Italian Rocket Society.
There is a renewed interest in nitromethane as safer replacement of hydrazine monopropellant.

The following equation describes this process:
2 CH3NO2 → 2 CO + 2 H2O + H2 + N2

Nitromethane has a laminar combustion velocity of approximately 0.5 m/s, somewhat higher than gasoline, thus making it suitable for high-speed engines.
Nitromethane also has a somewhat higher flame temperature of about 2,400 °C (4,350 °F).

The high heat of vaporization of 0.56 MJ/kg together with the high fuel flow provides significant cooling of the incoming charge (about twice that of methanol), resulting in reasonably low temperatures.

Nitromethane is usually used with rich air–fuel mixtures because it provides power even in the absence of atmospheric oxygen.
When rich air–fuel mixtures are used, hydrogen and carbon monoxide are two of the combustion products.
These gases often ignite, sometimes spectacularly, as the normally very rich mixtures of the still burning fuel exits the exhaust ports.

Very rich mixtures are necessary to reduce the temperature of combustion chamber hot parts in order to control pre-ignition and subsequent detonation.
Operational details depend on the particular mixture and engine characteristics.

The National Hot Rod Association and Academy of Model Aeronautics do not permit its use in competitions.
In model aircraft and car glow fuel, the primary ingredient is generally methanol with some nitromethane (0% to 65%, but rarely over 30%, and 10–20% lubricants (usually castor oil and/or synthetic oil)).

Even moderate amounts of nitromethane tend to increase the power created by the engine (as the limiting factor is often the air intake), making the engine easier to tune (adjust for the proper air/fuel ratio).

NITROMETHANE AS A PISTON ENGINE FUEL:
An investigation has been carried out under conditions comparable to normal engine operation to ascertain the effects of an additive such as nitromethane on the power output, fuel consumption, and efficiencies which result therefrom.

It has been learned that nitromethane can increase power output by as much as 13 percent on an indicated or gross basis when added to methyl alcohol and by 7 percent when added to a benzene-isooctane mixture in concentrations of 20% by volume.

By so doing, the indicated specific fuel consumption increases, but contrary to expectations, so does the indicated thermal efficiency.
The results from the benzene-isooctane blend were comparable to those from the methanol in all respects except for the increase in power, which was not as great.

The amount of nitromethane which can be added to a given fuel is a function of its tendency to bring about preignition in the engine.
In the case of the addition to the base fuels used, this limit turned out to be a maximum of 20% by volume.

The increase in power which resulted from the use of nitromethane can be traced directly to the amount of additional energy which the additive makes available to the fuel-air mixture.

While the increase in specific fuel consumption results from the fact that nitromethane has a much lower heating value than any of the other components of the fuel used, the increased thermal efficiency is thought to be a result of the increased temperatures and perhaps greater rate of combustion attendant to the use of the additive.

The greater increase of indicated power obtainable with the methanol-nitromethane blend (13%) compared to the benzene-isooctane blend (7%) is due to the fact that in the former case more nitromethane can be introduced into the engine per stroke or per cubic foot of mixture before preignition takes effect, even though the volume amounts in the fuels are comparable.

PURIFICATION of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is a popular solvent in organic and electroanalytical chemistry.
Nitromethane is an energetic compound that has been used in ground transportation engines and rocket engines.

Nitromethane may decompose explosively above 599°F if confined.
Additionally, nitromethane is a Cetane number improver, marginally viscous, extremely polar, and thermally sensitive, which provides the ignition instantaneously inside the combustion space after injection.

A "nitro-burning" engine and a "top fuel" engine are the same thing -- engines designed to burn nitromethane rather than gasoline.
Gasoline is a hydrocarbon, and the common chemical formula for gasoline is C8H18.

RELATED COMPOUNDS of NITROMETHANE:
*Related nitro compounds
**nitroethane
**methyl nitrite
**methyl nitrate

EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane was not known to be a high explosive until the 1950s when a railroad tanker car loaded with it exploded.
After much testing it was realized that nitromethane was a more energetic high explosive than TNT, although TNT has a higher velocity of detonation and brisance (shattering power against hard targets).

Both of these explosives are oxygen poor and some benefits are gained from mixing with an oxidizer, such as ammonium nitrate.
One graphic example of this was the use of nitromethane and ammonium nitrate on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building at Oklahoma City.

Pure nitromethane is an insensitive explosive with a VoD of approximately 6200 m/s, but even so inhibitors may be used to reduce the hazards.
The tank car explosion was speculated to be due to adiabatic compression, a hazard common to all liquid explosives.

This is when small entrained air bubbles compress and superheat with rapid rises in pressure.
It was thought that an operator rapidly snapped shut a valve creating a 'hammer-lock' pressure surge.

Nitromethane can be sensitized by adding a base to raise the pH.
PLX is the most common liquid explosive which uses nitromethane as the fuel and ethylene diamine as a sensitizer.

Various other amine groups can be used, such as triethylene tetramine and ethanolamine.
It can also be added to ammonium nitrate which is used as an oxidizer to form an explosive composition commonly referred to as ANNM.
This mixture is more powerful than ANFO.

For proper oxygen balance, a mixture of 67% Ammonium Nitrate and 33% Nitromethane would be used.
However, since this particular mixture will often produce a very "runny" product that is often difficult to manage, a mixture of 75% AN and 25% NM is often used instead.

NOTES of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is incompatible with amines, strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents and copper.

PROPERTIES of NITROMETHANE:
CHEMICAL of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane burns when ignited in air, releasing combustion gasses.
Nitromethane burns with a gray flame.
4 CH3NO2 + 3 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O + 2 N2

Nitromethane reacts violently with bases, such as sodium hydroxide or ammonia/amines, forming nitronate salts, which are highly sensitive to shock and impact, moreso when dry.
NaOH + CH3NO2 → NaCH2=NO2 + H2O

The heat generated by the reaction can even ignite the nitromethane.
Solid sodium nitronate can be obtained by performing the reaction in ethanolic sodium hydroxide or ethoxide.
Nitromethane will not react with strong oxidizers like manganese heptoxide.

This was observed by many SM members, such as Rhodanide and Tdep.
When refluxed with mineral acids, nitromethane, much like higher primary nitroparaffins, decomposes to form hydroxylamine salts:
CH3NO2 + HCl + H2O → [NH3OH]Cl + HCOOH

PHYSICAL of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is a colorless, slightly viscous, highly polar liquid.
Nitromethane is poorly soluble in water, but miscible with other organic solvents, such as alcohols.

Nitromethane freezes at −29 °C and boils at around 100 °C.
Nitromethane will form a heteroazeotrope with water, consisting of 76.4% NM by weight, which boils at 83.6°C.

Nitromethane forms also azeotropes with other solvents, most importantly methanol (8% NM at 64.5 °C) and ethanol (26.8% NM at 76 °C).
Other sources list the methanol azeotrope as 9% NM boiling at 64.6 °C, 9% NM boiling at 64.4 °C and as 10.5% NM boiling at 64.55 °C.

SOLUBILITY of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, carbon tetrachloride and alkali.
Nitromethane is slightly miscible with water.

AVAILABILITY of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is often available from lab suppliers at a price of around $100/L.
In the EU, the sell of pure Nitromethane is restricted due to its potential use in terrorist activities, and the maximum concentration legally available OTC is 30%.

Nitromethane is also sold in many places locally for use in RC fuel, either pure or as a mixture with methanol and (castor) oil.
Separation of the nitromethane from this mixture can be quite difficult, but it is achievable with good technique.
To separate nitromethane from RC fuel, you will first have to fractionally distill the RC fuel.

The first fraction that will distill is the Nitromethane-MeOH azeotrope, containing 9% Nitromethane at 64.6 °C, which is close to the boiling point of pure methanol at 64.7 °C, meaning that unless you have a very long column or a very efficient fractionating system, you will practically distill the MeOH along with the Nitromethane-MeOH azeotrope.

However, if your RC fuel has a high Nitromethane percentage, the leftover Nitromethane will distill next, leaving the castor oil and other high boiling point fractions in the flask (vacuum distillation can be benefitial at this point as it prevents thermal breakdown of the oil).

Separation of Nitromethane from the Nitromethane-MeOH azeotrope can be done by adding a neutral/acidic salt or acid to the mixture, which should salt out the Nitromethane from the MeOH, though this doesn't always work.
It has been claimed that the nitromethane can be easily extracted from the methanol azeotrope by freezing it out with dry ice and filtering it over a frit packed with dry ice pellets, in analogy to how it can be recovered from ethereal solutions.

The separated Nitromethane is purified via distillation.
The Nitromethane obtained this way will still have some methanol present, and removing the last bits of methanol is not necessary for most purposes, as they do not interfere with reactions.

PREPARATION of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is produced industrially by treating propane with nitric acid at 350–450 °C.
This exothermic reaction produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.
Nitromethane is then separated via fractional distillation.

A more accessible method involves the reaction between sodium chloroacetate, obtained by carefully neutralizing chloroacetic acid with sodium hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate and sodium nitrite in aqueous solution.

This forms sodium nitroacetate, which decomposes when heated to 80-85°, its decomposition at this temperature produces enough heat that it no longer needs external heat:
ClCH2COONa + NaNO2 + H2O → CH3NO2 + NaCl + NaHCO3

Nitromethane—or CH3NO2—is one member of a family of explosive compounds that contain nitrogen and oxygen.
Remember the old safecracker crime movies where the "specialist" had to berealcareful with the small vial of nitroglycerin, lest any sudden impact cause it to explode?

Then there's TNT (trinitrotoluene) and gunpowder (nitrocellulose).
Yup, anything with "nitro" in it is bad stuff!
Nitromethane is a colourless oily liquid used in organic synthesis, and as a fuel for rockets, racing cars and model aircraft.

OCCURRENCE/USE of NITROMETHANE:
Synthesis of derivatives of Nitromethane used as pharmaceuticals, agricultural fumigants, and industrial antimicrobials; solvent, fuel or fuel additive with methanol, explosives.
Nitromethane is the simplest organic nitro compound.

Nitromethane is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent.
As a reactant in organic synthesis, Nitromethane is used widely in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, explosives, fibers, and coatings.

Nitromethane also finds use as a racing fuel.
Nitromethane is used as a fuel in racing, particularly drag racing, to provide more power.

Nitromethane is usually used with rich air/fuel mixtures.
This is partly because nitromethane can provide power even in the absence of atmospheric oxygen, as described above, but it's also because nitromethane tends to produce severe knock and pre-ignition.

Rich mixtures do however cause ignition problems and a lower combustion speed.
In this context, Nitromethane is commonly referred to as "nitro" or "fuel".
Nitromethane has also been used as a model rocket fuel.

Nitromethane is normally mixed with methanol.
Nitromethane was not known to be an explosive until the 1950s, when a whole railroad tanker car of it exploded, leaving a huge crater.

Much testing later it was realized that nitromethane was a more energetic high explosive than TNT.
Pure nitromethane is a very insensitive explosive, but even so inhibitors may be used to reduce the hazards.

Nitromethane is a colorless, oily, highly flammable liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor that emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides upon decomposition.
Nitromethane is used to make industrial antimicrobials and pharmaceuticals, and is also used as a soil fumigant and as a fuel in race car engines.

PREPARATION of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is produced industrially by combining propane and nitric acid in the gas phase at 350–450 °C (662–842 °F).
This exothermic reaction produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.

The reaction involves free radicals, including the alkoxyl radicals of the type CH3CH2CH2O, which arise via homolysis of the corresponding nitrite ester.
These alkoxy radicals are susceptible to C—C fragmentation reactions, which explains the formation of a mixture of products.

LABORATORY METHODS
Nitromethane can also be prepared by other methods that are of instructional value.
The reaction of sodium chloroacetate with sodium nitrite in aqueous solution produces this compound, along with sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate
ClCH2COONa + NaNO2 + H2O → CH3NO2 + NaCl + NaHCO3

DERIVATIVES of NITROMETHANE:
In organic synthesis nitromethane is employed as a one carbon building block.
Its acidicity allows Nitromethane to undergo deprotonation, enabling condensation reactions analogous to those of carbonyl compounds.

Thus, under base catalysis, nitromethane adds to aldehydes in 1,2-addition in the nitroaldol reaction.
Some important derivatives include the pesticides Chloropicrin, Cl3CNO2 and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane, (HOCH2)3CNO2.

Reduction of the latter gives tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, (CH2OH)3CNH2, better known as “tris,” a widely used buffer.
In more specialized organic synthesis, nitromethane serve as a Michael donor, adding to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds via 1,4-addition in the Michael reaction.

PREPARATION METHOD of NITROMETHANE:
Methane gas-phase nitration method is used to mix preheated methane with vaporized nitric acid and water vapor in a certain proportion, and then enter the tubular reactor to directly nitrify under normal pressure and temperature of 450~550 ℃, the reaction product is condensed, absorbed and distilled to obtain a crude product, which is then washed and rectified to obtain a finished product.

Dimethyl sulfate and sodium nitrite reaction method sodium nitrite and dimethyl sulfate are added to the reactor for reaction, and the reaction product is condensed, distilled and cooled to separate into a finished product.

In addition, Nitromethane can also be prepared by the reaction of sodium nitrite with sodium chloroacetate and the reaction of nitrite with alkyl halide.

REACTIONS of NITROMETHANE:
Acid-base properties
Nitromethane is a relatively acidic carbon acid.
Nitromethane has a pKa of 17.2 in DMSO solution.

This value indicates an aqueous pKa of about 11.
Nitromethane is so acidic because the anion admits an alternate, stabilizing resonance structure:

Nitromethane deprotonates only slowly.
Protonation of the conjugate base O2NCH−2, which is nearly isosteric with nitrate, occurs initially at oxygen.

ORGANIC REACTIONS of NITROMETHANE:
In organic synthesis nitromethane is employed as a one carbon building block.
Its acidity allows Nitromethane to undergo deprotonation, enabling condensation reactions analogous to those of carbonyl compounds.

Thus, under base catalysis, nitromethane adds to aldehydes in 1,2-addition in the nitroaldol reaction.
Some important derivatives include the pesticides chloropicrin Cl3CNO2, beta-nitrostyrene, and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane (HOCH2)3CNO2.

Reduction of the latter gives tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, (HOCH2)3CNH2, better known as tris, a widely used buffer.
In more specialized organic synthesis, nitromethane serves as a Michael donor, adding to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds via 1,4-addition in the Michael reaction.

PURIFICATION of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is a popular solvent in organic and electroanalytical chemistry.
Nitromethane can be purified by cooling below its freezing point, washing the solid with cold diethyl ether, followed by distillation.

NATURE of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is a a colorless, transparent, oily liquid with a faint aromatic odor.
The relative density was 1.1371.
Boiling point 101.2 °c.
Melting Point -28. 55 °c.
Vapor pressure (20 °c) 3.706 kPa.
Flash point 45 °c.
Ignition point: 421 ℃.
Refractive index 3819.
Viscosity 0.647 MPA. s.
Nitromethane is insoluble in water and miscible with organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and acetone.
Solubility in water at 20 °c 9.5% (by volume).

PREPARATION of NITROMETHANE:
Nitromethane is produced industrially by treating propane with nitric acid at 350 -450 °C.
This exothermic reaction produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.

The reaction involves free radicals, including the alkoxyl radicals of the type CH3CH2CH2O., which arise via homolysis of the corresponding nitrite ester.

These alkoxy radicals are susceptible to C-C fragmentation reactions, which explains the formation of a mixture of products.
Although inexpensively available, nitromethane can be prepared in other methods that are of instructional value.

The reaction of sodium chloroacetate with sodium nitrite in aqueous solution produces this compound:
ClCH2COONa + NaNO2 + H2O → CH3NO2 + NaCl + NaHCO3
Nitromethane is distilled from the reaction and then dried over a mild desiccant.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of NITROMETHANE:
Physical state: liquid
CAS Number: 75-52-5
IUPAC Name: nitromethane
Molecular Formula: CH3NO2
Molecular Weight: 61.04 g/mol
Synonyms: nitromethane
Appearance: colorless, oily liquid
Color: Clear colorless to pale yellow
Odor: Light, fruity

Density: 1.1371 g/cm³ (20 °C)
Melting point: −28.7 °C (−19.7 °F; 244.5 K)
Boiling point: 101.2 °C (214.2 °F; 374.3 K)
Critical point (T, P): 588 K, 6.0 MPa
Solubility in water: ca. 10 g/100 mL
Solubility: miscible in diethyl ether, acetone, ethanol, methanol
Vapor pressure: 28 mmHg (20 °C)
Acidity (pKa): 10.21 (H2O), 17.2 (DMSO)
Magnetic susceptibility (χ): −21.0·10−6 cm³/mol

Thermal conductivity: 0.204 W/(m·K) at 25 °C
Refractive index (nD): 1.3817 (20 °C)
Viscosity: 0.63 cP at 25 °C
Dipole moment: 3.46
Shock sensitivity: Low
Friction sensitivity: Low
Detonation velocity: 6400 m/s
Heat capacity (C): 106.6 J/(mol·K)
Std molar entropy (S⦵298): 171.8 J/(mol·K)

Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298): −112.6 kJ/mol
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG⦵): −14.4 kJ/mol
XLogP3-AA: 0.1
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 2
Rotatable Bond Count: 0
Exact Mass: 61.016378338 Da
Monoisotopic Mass: 61.016378338 Da
Topological Polar Surface Area: 45.8 Å²

Heavy Atom Count: 4
Formal Charge: 0
Complexity: 27.5
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 1

Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
InChI: InChI=1/CH3NO2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3
InChI Key: LYGJENNIWJXYER-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: CN+=O
Form: Liquid
Identification (FTIR): Conforms
Assay (GC): ≥98.0%
Refractive Index: 1.3800-1.3840 @ 20°C
Melting point: -29 °C (lit.)

Boiling point: 101.2 °C (lit.)
Density: 1.127 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Vapor density: 2.1 (vs air)
Vapor pressure: 27.3 mmHg (20 °C)
Refractive index: n20/D 1.382 (lit.)
Flash point: 95 °F
Storage temp.: Flammables area
Solubility: 105 g/L
pKa: 10.2 (at 25 °C)
Form: Liquid

Color: APHA ≤10
Relative polarity: 6.8
Odor: Disagreeable fruity odor
pH range: 6.4 at 0.01 g/L at 20 °C
pH: 6.4 (0.6 g/L, H2O, 20 °C)
Explosive limit: 7.3–63.0% (V)
Water solubility: 9.5 g/100 mL (20 °C)
λmax: 380 nm (Amax 1.00), 386 nm (Amax 0.50), 395 nm (Amax 0.20),
400 nm (Amax 0.10), 405 nm (Amax 0.05), 430–700 nm (Amax 0.01)

Merck: 14,6611
BRN: 1698205
Henry's Law Constant: 2.24 (20 °C), 3.61 (30 °C), 5.40 (40 °C), 7.97 (50 °C) (inert gas stripping)
Exposure limits: NIOSH REL: IDLH 750 ppm; OSHA PEL: TWA 100 ppm (250 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV: TWA 20 ppm
Dielectric constant: 22.7 (ambient)
Surface tension: 36.8 mN/m at 20 °C
InChIKey: LYGJENNIWJXYER-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CAS DataBase Reference: 75-52-5
IARC: 2B (Vol. 77, 2000)
NIST Chemistry Reference: Methane, nitro- (75-52-5)

EPA Substance Registry System: Nitromethane (75-52-5)
Molecular Formula / Molecular Weight: CH3NO2 = 61.04
Physical State (20 °C): Liquid
Storage Temperature: Room Temperature (Recommended in a cool and dark place, <15 °C)
CAS RN: 75-52-5
Reaxys Registry Number: 1698205
PubChem Substance ID: 87573577
SDBS (AIST Spectral DB): 2792
Merck Index (14): 6611

MDL Number: MFCD00007400
EINECS: 200-876-6
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Clear, colorless
Odor: Characteristic
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -29 °C (lit.)
Initial Boiling Point and Boiling Range: 101.2 °C (lit.)
Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
Upper Explosion Limit: 63.0 % (V)

Lower Explosion Limit: 7.3 % (V)
Flash Point: 35 °C (closed cup, ISO 1523)
Autoignition Temperature: 418 °C at 1.013,25 hPa
Decomposition Temperature: No data available
pH: No data available
Viscosity, kinematic: No data available
Viscosity, dynamic: 0.65 mPa·s at 20 °C
Water Solubility: 104.5 g/l at 25 °C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water):
log Pow: -0.24 at 21.8 °C (Bioaccumulation not expected)

Vapor Pressure: No data available
Density: 1.127 g/cm³ at 25 °C (lit.)
Relative Density: No data available
Relative Vapor Density: 2.11 (Air = 1.0)
Particle Characteristics: No data available
Explosive Properties: Not classified as explosive
Oxidizing Properties: None
Surface Tension: 73.6 mN/m at 1 g/l at 21 °C

CAS Number: 75-52-5
EC Number (EINECS): 200-876-6
InChI: InChI=1/CH3NO2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3
InChIKey: LYGJENNIWJXYER-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molecular Formula: CH3NO2
Molar Mass: 61.04 g/mol
Density: 1.127 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Melting Point: -29 °C (lit.)
Boiling Point: 101.2 °C (lit.)

Flash Point: 95 °F
Water Solubility: 9.5 g/100 mL (20 ºC)
Solubility: 105 g/L
Vapor Pressure: 27.3 mmHg (20 °C)
Vapor Density: 2.1 (vs air)
Physical State: Liquid
Appearance: Clear
Color: APHA ≤10
Odor: Disagreeable fruity odor

Exposure Limit: NIOSH REL IDLH 750 ppm;
OSHA PEL TWA 100 ppm (250 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV TWA 20 ppm
Maximum Wavelength (λmax): λ 380 nm Amax 1.00; λ 386 nm Amax 0.50;
λ 395 nm Amax 0.20; λ 400 nm Amax 0.10
Merck Index: 14,6611
BRN: 1698205
pKa: 10.2 (at 25 °C)
pH: 6.4 (0.6 g/L, H2O, 20 °C)
Storage Condition: Flammables area
Explosive Limit: 7.3–63.0 % (V)
Refractive Index: n20/D 1.382 (lit.)

FIRST AID MEASURES of NITROMETHANE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation:
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact:
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact:
Rinse out with plenty of water.
Call in ophthalmologist.
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing:
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most).
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of NITROMETHANE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains.
Collect, bind, and pump off spills.
Observe possible material restrictions.
Take up dry.
Dispose of properly.
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of NITROMETHANE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Foam
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of NITROMETHANE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection.
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of NITROMETHANE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed.
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of NITROMETHANE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available