Hydrazine - N2H4

What is Hydrazine?

N₂H₄ is an inorganic compound with chemical name Hydrazine. It is also called as Diamine or Diazane or Nitrogen hydride and is a strong base. It is an azane and dangerously unstable. Each subunit of H₂N-N is pyramidal and the N−N bond distance is about 1.45 Å. Diamine in its anhydrous form, is a colorless, fuming oily liquid which smells like ammonia. It has a flash point value of 99°F. In case if traces of air is present during the process of distillation, it explodes. It is toxic and corrosive to tissues. When it undergoes combustion, it generates toxic oxides of nitrogen.

Properties of Hydrazine – N₂H₄

N₂H₄	Hydrazine
Molecular weight/molar mass of N₂H₄	32.0452 g/mol
Density of Hydrazine	1.021 g/cm³
Boiling Point of Hydrazine	114 °C
Melting Point of Hydrazine	2 °C

Hydrazine structure – N₂H₄

Production of Hydrazine

Diamine can be obtained from hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in the ketazine process or Pechiney-Ugine-Kuhlmann process. The reaction is as follows:

2NH₃ + H₂O₂ → H₂NNH₂ + 2H₂O

Chloramine reacts with ammonia to generate nitrogen–nitrogen single bond and hydrogen chloride as byproducts. The reaction is as follows:

NH₂Cl + NH₃ → H₂NNH₂ +HCl

N₂H₄ Uses (Hydrazine)

Hydrazine is used as a propellant in space vehicles.
It is used as a precursor in several pharmaceutical products.
It is used as a reducing agent for selenium, arsenic, and tellurium
It is used as a corrosion inhibitor in cooling water reactor.
It is used in the process of electrolytic plating of metals on plastic and glass.
Used in the manufacturing of agricultural chemicals.
Used as a solvent for inorganic compounds.

Health hazards

Usually the targeted organs which get infected are respiratory system, central nervous system (CNS), eyes, and skin. Chronic exposure can cause kidney and liver damage. Fire will generate corrosive, toxic and irritating gases. Its vapours can cause suffocation or dizziness.