Monomethylhydrazine

Last updated
Monomethylhydrazine
Monomethylhydrazine.png
Methylhydrazine-3D-balls.png
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methylhydrazine [1]
Other names
Methyldiazane, monomethyl hydrazine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
635645
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.429 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 200-471-4
MeSH Monomethylhydrazine
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • MV5600000
UNII
UN number 1244
  • InChI=1S/CH6N2/c1-3-2/h3H,2H2,1H3 Yes check.svgY
    Key: HDZGCSFEDULWCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • CNN
Properties
CH6N2
Molar mass 46.073 g·mol−1
AppearanceFuming, colourless liquid
Odor Fish-like [2]
Density 875 mg/mL (at 20 °C)
Melting point −52 °C (−62 °F; 221 K)
Boiling point 87.50 °C; 189.50 °F; 360.65 K
Miscible [3]
log P −1.318
Vapor pressure 5.00 kPa (at 20 °C)
1.4325
Thermochemistry
134.93 J/(K·mol)
Std molar
entropy
(S298)
165.94 J/(K·mol)
54.14 kJ/mol
−1305.8 to −1304.6 kJ/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
highly toxic and reactive liquid
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-flamme.svg GHS-pictogram-skull.svg GHS-pictogram-silhouette.svg GHS-pictogram-pollu.svg
Danger
H225, H300, H301, H311, H314, H330, H351, H411
P210, P260, P273, P280, P284
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704.svgHealth 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gasFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acid
4
3
2
W
Flash point −8 °C; 17 °F; 265 K [3]
196 °C (385 °F; 469 K)
Explosive limits 2.5–92% [3]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
32 mg/kg (oral, rat)
  • 34 ppm (rat, 4 hr)
  • 74 ppm (rat, 4 hr)
  • 162 ppm (monkey, 1 hr)
  • 195 ppm (dog, 30 min)
  • 145 ppm (monkey, 30 min)
  • 272 ppm (mouse, 30 min)
  • 427 ppm (rat, 30 min)
  • 56 ppm (mouse, 4 hr)
  • 143 ppm (hamster, 4 hr)
[4]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
C 0.2 ppm (0.35 mg/m3) [skin] [3]
REL (Recommended)
Ca C 0.04 ppm (0.08 mg/m3) [2-hr] [3]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
Ca [20 ppm] [3]
Safety data sheet (SDS) inchem.org
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) is a highly toxic, volatile hydrazine derivative with the chemical formula CH6N2. It is used as a rocket propellant in bipropellant rocket engines because it is hypergolic with various oxidizers such as nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) and nitric acid (HNO3). As a propellant, it is described in specification MIL-PRF-27404. [5]

Contents

MMH is a hydrazine derivative that was once used in the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) and reaction control system (RCS) engines of NASA's Space Shuttle, which used MMH and MON-3 (a mixture of nitrogen tetroxide with approximately 3% nitric oxide). This chemical is toxic and carcinogenic, [6] but it is easily stored in orbit, providing moderate performance for very low fuel tank system weight. MMH and its chemical relative unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) have a key advantage that they are stable enough to be used in regeneratively cooled rocket engines. The European Space Agency (ESA) has attempted to seek new options in terms of bipropellant rocket combinations to avoid using deadly chemicals such as MMH and its relatives. [7]

MMH is believed to be the primary active mycotoxin found in mushrooms of the genus Gyromitra , especially the false morel ( Gyromitra esculenta ). In these cases, MMH is formed by the hydrolysis of gyromitrin. [8]

Monomethylhydrazine is considered to be a possible occupational carcinogen, [9] and the occupational exposure limits to MMH are set at protective levels to account for the possible carcinogenicity. [10]

A known use of MMH is in the synthesis of suritozole. [11]

MMH is also assumed to be the active methylating agent in the drug Temozolomide. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrazine</span> Colorless flammable liquid with an ammonia-like odor

Hydrazine is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula N2H4. It is a simple pnictogen hydride, and is a colourless flammable liquid with an ammonia-like odour. Hydrazine is highly hazardous unless handled in solution as, for example, hydrazine hydrate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypergolic propellant</span> Type of rocket engine fuel

A hypergolic propellant is a rocket propellant combination used in a rocket engine, whose components spontaneously ignite when they come into contact with each other.

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (abbreviated as UDMH; also known as 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, heptyl or Geptil) is a chemical compound with the formula H2NN(CH3)2 that is primarily used as a rocket propellant. At room temperature, UDMH is a colorless liquid, with a sharp, fishy, ammonia-like smell typical of organic amines. Samples turn yellowish on exposure to air and absorb oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is miscible with water, ethanol, and kerosene. At concentrations between 2.5% and 95% in air, its vapors are flammable. It is not sensitive to shock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinitrogen tetroxide</span> Chemical compound

Dinitrogen tetroxide, commonly referred to as nitrogen tetroxide (NTO), and occasionally (usually among ex-USSR/Russian rocket engineers) as amyl, is the chemical compound N2O4. It is a useful reagent in chemical synthesis. It forms an equilibrium mixture with nitrogen dioxide. Its molar mass is 92.011 g/mol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitrogen dioxide</span> Chemical compound with formula NO₂

Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula NO2. One of several nitrogen oxides, nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas. It is a paramagnetic, bent molecule with C2v point group symmetry. Industrially, NO2 is an intermediate in the synthesis of nitric acid, millions of tons of which are produced each year, primarily for the production of fertilizers.

Nitromethane, sometimes shortened to simply "nitro", is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH
3
NO
2
. It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a 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 an intermediate in organic synthesis, it 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.

<i>Gyromitra esculenta</i> Species of fungus

Gyromitra esculenta is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally fruits in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown in colour that can reach 10 centimetres high and 15 cm (6 in) wide, perched on a stout white stipe up to 6 cm high.

Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus Gyromitra, like G. esculenta. Its formula is C4H8N2O. It is unstable and is easily hydrolyzed to the toxic compound monomethylhydrazine CH3NHNH2. Monomethylhydrazine acts on the central nervous system and interferes with the normal use and function of vitamin B6. Poisoning results in nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, while severe poisoning can result in convulsions, jaundice, or even coma or death. Exposure to monomethylhydrazine has been shown to be carcinogenic in small mammals.

Aerozine 50 is a 50:50 mix by weight of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), developed in the late 1950s by Aerojet General Corporation as a storable, high-energy, hypergolic fuel for the Titan II ICBM rocket engines. Aerozine continues in wide use as a rocket fuel, typically with dinitrogen tetroxide as the oxidizer, with which it is hypergolic. Aerozine 50 is more stable than hydrazine alone, and has a higher density and boiling point than UDMH alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Propyne</span> Hydrocarbon compound (HC≡C–CH3)

Propyne (methylacetylene) is an alkyne with the chemical formula CH3C≡CH. It is a component of MAPD gas—along with its isomer propadiene (allene), which was commonly used in gas welding. Unlike acetylene, propyne can be safely condensed.

The highest specific impulse chemical rockets use liquid propellants. They can consist of a single chemical or a mix of two chemicals, called bipropellants. Bipropellants can further be divided into two categories; hypergolic propellants, which ignite when the fuel and oxidizer make contact, and non-hypergolic propellants which require an ignition source.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentaborane(9)</span> Chemical compound

Pentaborane(9) is an inorganic compound with the formula B5H9. It is one of the most common boron hydride clusters, although it is a highly reactive compound. Because of its high reactivity with oxygen, it was once evaluated as rocket or jet fuel. Like many of the smaller boron hydrides, pentaborane is colourless, diamagnetic, and volatile. It is related to pentaborane(11).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toluene diisocyanate</span> Chemical compound

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(NCO)2. Two of the six possible isomers are commercially important: 2,4-TDI (CAS: 584-84-9) and 2,6-TDI (CAS: 91-08-7). 2,4-TDI is produced in the pure state, but TDI is often marketed as 80/20 and 65/35 mixtures of the 2,4 and 2,6 isomers respectively. It is produced on a large scale, accounting for 34.1% of the global isocyanate market in 2000, second only to MDI. Approximately 1.4 billion kilograms were produced in 2000. All isomers of TDI are colorless, although commercial samples can appear yellow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furfuryl alcohol</span> Chemical compound

Furfuryl alcohol is an organic compound containing a furan substituted with a hydroxymethyl group. It is a colorless liquid, but aged samples appear amber. It possesses a faint odor of burning and a bitter taste. It is miscible with but unstable in water. It is soluble in common organic solvents.

Tetranitromethane or TNM is an organic oxidizer with chemical formula C(NO2)4. Its chemical structure consists of four nitro groups attached to one carbon atom. In 1857 it was first synthesised by the reaction of sodium cyanoacetamide with nitric acid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">False morel</span> Name for several species of mushroom

The name false morel is given to several species of mushroom which bear a resemblance to the highly regarded true morels of the genus Morchella. Like Morchella, false morels are members of the Pezizales, but within that group represent several unrelated taxa scattered through the families Morchellaceae, Discinaceae, and Helvellaceae, with the epithet "false morel" most often ascribed to members of the genus Gyromitra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Dimethylaminoethylazide</span> Chemical compound

2-Dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) is a liquid rocket fuel being investigated for use as a spacecraft propellent to replace the toxic, carcinogenic monomethylhydrazine. It is a member of the competitive impulse non-carcinogenic hypergol (CINCH) family which were assessed as a replacement for hydrazine-derived propellants. DMAZ was also found to be sensitive to impact, direct flame, shock wave, heat in confined space, and electrostatic discharge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket propellant</span> Chemical or mixture used in a rocket engine

Rocket propellant is used as reaction mass ejected from a rocket engine to produce thrust. The energy required can either come from the propellants themselves, as with a chemical rocket, or from an external source, as with ion engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1-Nitropropane</span> Chemical compound

1-Nitropropane (1-NP) is a solvent. It is a colorless liquid, an isomer of 2-nitropropane (2-NP), and classified as a nitro compound.

The Hispasat 1D, since 2016 called Hispasat 30W-4 is a Spanish communications satellite launched in 2002 operated by Hispasat. Together with the Hispasat 1C it formed a constellation in order to strengthen communication ties between the American continent and the Iberian Peninsula for both governmental and private uses.

References

  1. "Monomethylhydrazine - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 26 March 2005. Identification and Related Records. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  2. Methylhydrazine: odor
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0419". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  4. "Methylhydrazine". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  5. MIL-PRF-27404 (1997-10-01). "Performance Specification, Propellant, Monomethylhydrazine". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. Monomethylhydrazine as toxic and carcinogenic chemical substance
  7. Preliminary Programme. International Conference on Green Propellant for Space Propulsion. Noordwijk, NL: European Space Agency. 20–22 June 2001.
  8. Pyysalo, H. (1975). "Some new toxic compounds in false morels, Gyromitra esculenta". Naturwissenschaften. 62 (8): 395. Bibcode:1975NW.....62..395P. doi:10.1007/BF00625355. PMID   1238907. S2CID   178876.
  9. Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs) (Report). U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  10. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (Report). U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NPGD #0419.
  11. Kane, John M.; Dudley, Mark W.; Sorensen, Stephen M.; Miller, Francis P. (1988). "2,4-Dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones as potential antidepressant agents". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 31 (6): 1253–1258. doi:10.1021/jm00401a031. PMID   3373495.
  12. "Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2022-04-17.

Further reading