Hydrazine | Chemical Compound - Encyclopedia Britannica

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External Websites

• IAEA - International Nuclear Information System - Control and Management of the Chemical Risk Linked With Hydrazine Hydrate Storage, Unloading and Injection Across French Nuclear Fleet
• Cell Press - Biophysical Journal - Living on hydrazine: Metabolic protein complexes from an anaerobic ammonium oxidizer
• BMC Chemistry - Analysis of hydrazine in smokeless tobacco products by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
• NOAA Cameo Chemicals - Hydrazine
• New Jersey Department of Health - Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet - Hydrazine
• University of Bristol - School of Chemistry - Hydrazine
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - Public Health Statement Hydrazine (PDF)
• United States Environmental Protection Agency - Hydrazine
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Hydrazine Toxicology
• NIST Chemistry WebBook - Hydrazine

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hydrazine, (N2H4), one of a series of compounds called hydronitrogens and a powerful reducing agent. It is used in the synthesis of various pesticides, as a base for blowing agents that make the holes in foam rubber, and as a corrosion inhibitor in boilers. Hydrazine is a colourless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. It has a melting point of 2.0° C (35.6° F) and a boiling point of 113.5° C (236.3° F). It readily absorbs moisture to form the hydrate N2H4·H2O.

Hydrazine was first isolated from organic compounds in 1887. The common method of preparation is by the Raschig process, which involves the oxidation of ammonia with sodium hypochlorite in the presence of gelatin or glue. (Other variations of this process substitute urea for ammonia.)

Related Topics: hydride hydrazide methyl hydrazine maleic hydrazide (Show more) See all related content

Hydrazine reacts with acids and some metallic salts, and the products are used in the manufacture of certain explosives and agricultural fungicides. Hydrazine reacts with organic compounds to form alkyl hydrazines, used as fuel in rocket and jet propulsion. Other reactions with organic compounds yield hydrazones and hydrazides, which are used in such pharmaceuticals as isoniazid (in the treatment of tuberculosis) and as chemical intermediates in the production of polymers and photographic chemicals.