6086. Methylhydrazine

Nomenclature

CAS number: 60-34-4
Monomethylhydrazine; MMH.
CH6N2; mol wt 46.07.
C 26.07%, H 13.13%, N 60.81%.

Description and references

Early prepns: Beilstein 4, 546; 1st suppl., 560. Prepn of sulfate: Hatt, Org. Synth. coll. vol. I, 395 (1943); Audrieth, Diamond, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 76, 4869 (1954). Manuf and properties: Knight, Hydrocarbon Process. Petr. Refin. 41, 179 (1962). Toxicity and metabolism: Witkin, Arch. Ind. Health 13, 34 (1956); Dost et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 15, 1325 (1966); Gregory et al., Clin. Toxicol. 4, 435 (1971); Magee et al. in Proc. Fifth Int. Congress Pharmacology, San Francisco, 1972 vol. 2, T. A. Loomis, Ed. (Karger, New York, 1973) pp 140-149.

Chemical structure

Properties

Clear liquid, odor characteristic of short chain, organic amines. d25 0.874. mp 52.4°. bp 87.5°. Poisonous; flammable; corrosive. Heat capacity (25°): 32.25 cal/mole/°C. Flash pt, closed cup: 68°F (20°C). Autoignition temp: 196°. Flammability limits in air (%-vol): 2.5 to 97 ± 2%. Miscible with water, hydrazine, low mol wt monohydric alcohols. Sol in hydrocarbons. Mildly alkaline base. Strong reducing agent. Ignites spontaneously on contact with strong oxidizing agents such as fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, nitrogen tetroxide, fuming nitric acid. LD50 orally in mice, rats: 33.0, 32.5 mg/kg (Witkin); orally in rats: 70.7 mg/kg (Gregory).

Derivative

Sulfate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 302-15-8
CH3NHNH2.H2SO4; mol wt 144.15.
C 8.33%, H 5.59%, N 19.43%, S 22.24%, O 44.40%.

Properties

White plates from 80% ethanol. mp 141-142°.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure to methylhydrazine are irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory system; vomiting; diarrhea; tremors and ataxia; anoxia, cyanosis; convulsions. Potential occupational carcinogen. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 210.

Use

In rocket fuel; intermediate in chemical syntheses.