Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine

chembox new
ImageFileL1 = 1,1-Dimethylhydrazin.svg
ImageSizeL1 = 150px
ImageFileR1 = 1,1-dimethylhydrazine-3D-balls.png ImageSizeR1 = 150px
IUPACName = 1,1-Dimethylhydrazine
OtherNames =
Abbreviations = UDMH
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 57-14-7
SMILES = NN(C)C
InChI=1/C2H8N2/c1-4(2)3/h3H2,1-2H3
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C₂H₈N₂
MolarMass = 60.1 g/mol
MeltingPtC = -57
BoilingPtC = 63
Density = 0.793 g/cm³
Section7 = Chembox Hazards
ExternalMSDS = [http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc01/icsc0147.pdf External MSDS]
EUClass = Toxic (T), Flammable (F), Harmful for the environment (N)
RPhrases = R45 R11 R23/25 R34 R51/53
SPhrases = S53 S45 S61
Section8 = Chembox Other
OtherCpds = Hydrazine; monomethylhydrazine

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) (1,1-Dimethylhydrazine) is a toxic volatile hygroscopic clear liquid, with a sharp, fishy, ammoniacal smell typical for organic amines. It turns yellowish on exposure to air and absorbs oxygen and carbon dioxide. It mixes completely with water, ethanol, and kerosene. In concentration between 2.5% and 95% in air, its vapors are flammable. It is not sensitive to shock.

Occurrence

UDMH is a contaminant, metabolite, and breakdown product of daminozide.

Uses

UDMH is often used in hypergolic rocket fuels as a bipropellant in combination with the oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide and less frequently with IRFNA (red fuming nitric acid) or liquid oxygen. UDMH is a derivative of hydrazine and is sometimes referred to as a hydrazine. As a fuel, it is described in specification MIL-D-25064.

UDMH is stable and can be kept loaded in rocket fuel systems for long periods, which makes it appealing for use in many liquid rocket engines, despite its high density and cost. In some applications, such as the OMS in the Space Shuttle or maneuvering engines, monomethylhydrazine is used instead due to its slightly higher specific impulse.UDMH functions as a starter fuel to start combustion and warm the rocket engine prior to switching to kerosene.UDMH has higher stability than hydrazine, especially at elevated temperatures, and can be used as its replacement or together in a mixture. UDMH is used in many European, Russian, Indian, and Chinese rocket designs. The Titan, GSLV, and Delta rocket families use a mixture of 50% hydrazine and 50% UDMH, called Aerozine 50, in different stages.

Apart from its use as rocket fuel, UDMH is a nitrogen source in metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy thin-film deposition.

Safety

UDMH is toxic, a carcinogen and can explode in the presence of oxidisers. It is toxic and absorbs through the skin. During the 1980s there was concern about the levels of UDMH in various foods being a cancer risk, especially for apple juice. [ UDMH released into the environment can react in air to form dimethylnitrosamine, a persistent carcinogen and groundwater pollutant. cite web | url = http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/issues/intolrisks.html | title = Are pesticides posing intolerable risks? | publisher = Cornell University]

See also

* Aerozine 50

References

External links

* http://www.astronautix.com/props/n2o4udmh.htm
* http://www.lr.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=e2984c9b-4864-46e0-992f-13ce92f3580b&lang=en