6611. Nitromethane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 75-52-5
Nitrocarbol.
CH3NO2; mol wt 61.04.
C 19.68%, H 4.95%, N 22.95%, O 52.42%.

Description and references

Prepd by the interaction of sodium nitrite and sodium chloroacetate: Whitmore, Org. Synth. 3, 83 (1923). Monograph: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 22, 518 (1961). Toxicity study: Weatherby, Arch. Ind. Health 11, 102 (1955).

Properties

Oily liquid with a moderately strong, somewhat disagreeable odor. d425 1.1322. One gallon weighs 9.5 lbs. Flash pt 112°F. mp -29°. bp760 101.2°; bp100 46.6°; bp40 27.5°; bp20 14.1°; bp10 2.8°; bp5 -7.9°; bp1.0 -29°. nD22 1.38056. Absorption spectrum: Hantzsch, Voigt, Ber. 45, 106 (1912). Flammable. Slightly sol in water (9.5% by vol at 20°); sol in alc, ether, DMF. Water solns are acid to litmus. pH of 0.01M aq soln 6.12. Forms an explosive sodium salt which bursts into flame on contact with water. LC (in air) in guinea pigs: 1000 ppm; LD50 orally in mice: 1.44 g/kg (Weatherby).

Caution

Potential symptom of overexposure is dermatitis. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 230. This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-193.

Use

Rocket fuel; solvent for zein. Used in the coating industry.