Nitromethane

Brief Overview
Nitromethane is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a colorless, oily, polar and highly flammable liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor.

Manufacturing Process
Nitromethane is industrially produced by combining propane and nitric acid in the gas phase at 350 – 450 °C. This reaction is exothermic, and produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes : nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane. The reaction involves free radicals, including the alkoxyl radicals of CH₃CH₂CH₂O, which arise via homolysis of the corresponding nitrite ester. These alkoxy radicals are susceptible to C—C fragmentation reactions, which forms of a mixture of products.

Engine Fuel
Nitromethane is used as a fuel in motor sports, rockets, hobby airplanes, and the like.

Explosives
Nitromethane is also used to make explosives and rocket fuel.

Organic Synthesis
Nitromethane is an efficient nitrogen donor, which makes it a highly functional molecule for organic synthesis. It is the raw material preparation for chloropicrin, beta-nitrostyrene, and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane.

Others
It can be used as cellulose compound, polymer, resin, paint, wax content of the surfactant, solvent and accelerant.