Chemical Properties
colourless oily liquid
General Description
Colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. A violent poison. Causes delayed eye irritation. Very corrosive, attacks glass, rubber, and cork. Corrodes molybdenum steels such as Allegheny stainless 316.
Reactivity Profile
HYDRAZINE, AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS, WITH MORE THAN 64% HYDRAZINE(302-01-2) are strongly basic and are powerful reducing agents. Note that a 64% solution corresponds to the composition hydrazine hydrate (N2H4.H2O). Spontaneous ignition can occur with hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid. Contact with metallic oxide surfaces may lead to flaming decomposition [Haz. Chem. Data (1966)]. The reaction between 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and hydrazine hydrate shattered the reaction flask [Wischmeyer 1967]. Spontaneous ignition occurs when nitrous oxide and hydrazine are mixed [Mellor 8, Supp. 2:214(1967)]. Potassium and sodium dichromate react explosively with hydrazine [Mellor 11:234(1946-1947)]. Hydrazine hydrate reacts with stannous chloride to give stannous dihydrazinechloride, which decomposes explosively when heated [Mellor 7:430(1946-1947)]. Explodes during distillation if traces of air are present. Affected by UV and metal ion catalysis [Merck, 11th ed., 1989].
Air & Water Reactions
Fumes in air. Water soluble.
Hazard
Severe explosion hazard when exposed to
heat or by reaction with oxidizers. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; strong irritant
to skin and eyes; a confirmed carcinogen.
Health Hazard
May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested/swallowed. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Description
Hydrazine sulphate, hydrobromide and hydrochloride
have been reported to be occupational sensitizers,
mainly in soldering flux.
Physical properties
Colorless, mobile, fuming liquid; ammoniacal odor; density 1.0045 g/mL at25°C; refractive index 1.46044 at 22°C; solidifies at 2°C to a white crystallinesolid; boils at 113.5°C; flash point 52°C; burns with a violet flame; vapor pres-sure 14.4 torr at 25°C; critical temperature 379.85°C; critical pressure 145atm; surface tension 66.67 dyne/cm at 25°C; dielectric constant 51.7 at 25°C;viscosity 0.876 centipoise at 25°C; very soluble in water; forms an azeotropewith water at molar composition of 58.5% hydrazine: 41.5% water (71.48%:28.52% by weight), the azeotrope with water boils at 120.5°C; forms hydrazinehydrate at 1:1 molar concentration in water; soluble in alcohols and other polar solvents; pKa 8.1 at 25°C.
History
Hydrazine was isolated first as a sulfate salt by Curtius in 1887. Earlier, in1875, Fischer prepared and identified the organic derivatives of hydrazine.Raschig in 1906 prepared hydrazine by hypochlorite oxidation of ammonia.
Hydrazine and its derivatives have numerous commercial applications. Itwas used initially as rocket propellant. During World War II, it was used as afuel for rocket-powered fighter planes. However, the most important applications of hydrazine and its derivatives at present are: as blowing agents; forinsect control; in pharmaceuticals; in water treatment; and in fuel cells.Hydrazine derivatives release nitrogen on decomposition, producing foamingaction in polymers to form pores or cells. A large number of hydrazine derivatives are used in agricultural applications as fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides for weed and pest control. A few hydrazide drugs, such as isoniazid [54-85-3] are used extensively for treating tuberculosis. Other applications ofhydrazine include its use in fuel cells; and in wastewater treatment forremoval of iron; iron removal from hot-water heating systems; reduction ofred iron oxide rust into magnetite; and for removal of oxygen to protectagainst corrosion. It also is used in electrolytic plating of metals on glassesand as a reducing agent. Several hydrazine derivatives are used in azo dyes;as coupling agents in color photography; and in explosives and ammunitionprimers.
Definition
A colorless
liquid that can be prepared by the oxidation
of ammonia with sodium
chlorate(I) or by the gas phase reaction of
ammonia with chlorine. Hydrazine is a
weak base, forming salts (e.g. N2H4.HCl)
with strong acids. It is a powerful reducing
agent, reducing salts of the noble metals to
the metal. Anhydrous hydrazine ignites
spontaneously in oxygen and reacts violently
with oxidizing agents. The aqueous
solution, hydrazine hydrate, has been used
as a fuel for jet engines and for rockets.
Definition
hydrazine: A colourless liquid orwhite crystalline solid,N2H4; r.d. 1.01(liquid); m.p. 1.4°C; b.p. 113.5°C. It isvery soluble in water and soluble inethanol. Hydrazine is prepared bythe Raschig synthesis in which ammoniareacts with sodium(I) chlorate(sodium hypochlorite) to give NH2Cl,which then undergoes further reactionwith ammonia to give N2H4. Industrialproduction must be carefullycontrolled to avoid a side reactionleading to NH4Cl. The compound is aweak base giving rise to two series ofsalts, those based on N2H5+, whichare stable in water (sometimes writtenin the form N2H4.HCl rather thanN2H5+Cl-), and a less stable and extensivelyhydrolysed series based onN2H62+. Hydrazine is a powerful reducingagent and reacts violentlywith many oxidizing agents, henceits use as a rocket propellant. It reactswith aldehydes and ketones togive hydrazones.
Production Methods
Although the earlier processes for the commercial production of hydrazine used urea as a raw material, modern processes employ direct ammonia oxidation. In one such process, reactions occur in two steps:
NH3 + NaOCl → NH2Cl + NaOH (1) NH3 + NH2Cl + NaOH → H2N·NH2 + NaCl + H2O. (2)
High-grade hypochlorite is required for Step 1. Special agents, such as gelatin, ethylenediamine tetracetic acid, glue, high alcohols, and formaldehyde, are required to inhibit undesirable side reactions that would reduce the hydrazine yield through formation of ammonium chloride and N2. In another hydrazine process, chlorine, NH3, and H2SO4, along with methylethyl ketone, are used as the charge. The products of this process include hydrazine hydrate, hydrazine sulfate, ketazine, and dialkyldiazacyclopropane. Hydrazine also is used as a start-up ingredient in the preparation of cooling water for nuclear reactors where it is desired to keep the oxygen content of the water to an absolute minimum and thus decrease corrosion. Oxygen reacts with hydrazine. H2N·NH2 + O2 → N2 + 2H2O. When no oxygen is present in the water, the hydrazine acts as a sink for dissolved oxygen that may enter later, by maintaining metal oxides at their lower oxidation states.
In the laboratory, hydrazine can be prepared by converting one-half of a given amount of NH3 into chloramine, NH2Cl, by sodium hypochlorite solution in the presence of a colloid and heating. The remaining one-half of the NH3 reacts with chloramine to form hydrazine. The product is then cooled to 0 °C and H2SO4 added in amount to react with the hydrazine to form hydrazine sulfate, N2H6SO4, insoluble solid. Hydrazine hemisulfate, (N2H5)2SO4, is soluble in H2O. It can also be made by the reaction of NH3 and hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid.
Production Methods
Hydrazine is a colorless, fuming, oily liquid with an
ammonia-like odor. It should be stored in glass containers
in a cool, dark place.
Hydrazine is prepared commercially by the Raschig and
the urea processes. The Raschig method involves reacting
sodium hypochlorite with excess ammonia, flash boiling to
recover dilute hydrazine, and fractionating to produce the
hydrate. In the urea process, urea is oxidized with hypochlorite
to produce the hydrate. Both anhydrous hydrazine and the
hydrate are fuming, strongly basic (pKb1=5.52), colorless
liquids. Hydrazine may ignite under various circumstances
(e.g., on contact with rust) and it decomposes violently in
contact with oxidizing materials. It is usually stored under
nitrogen to reduce the flammability hazard and to maintain
purity.
Purification Methods
Hydrazine hydrate is dried by refluxing with an equal weight of KOH pellets for 3hours, then distilled from fresh solid NaOH or BaO in a current of dry N2. Use stainless steel or copper equipment. Hydrazine and its hydrates have VERY IRRITATING and TOXIC vapours and should be used in an efficient fume cupboard. Store in a well-stoppered vessel, preferably under N2. It is a reducing agent. [Schenk in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I pp 469-472 1963.]
Flammability and Explosibility
Hydrazine is a flammable liquid (NFPA rating = 3) over a very broad range of vapor
concentrations (4.7 to 100%). Hydrazine may undergo autoxidation and ignite
spontaneously when brought in contact with porous substances such as rusty
surfaces, earth, wood, or cloth. Fires should be extinguished with water spray,
carbon dioxide, or dry chemical extinguishers.
Potential Exposure
Tumorigen, Mutagen; Reproductive Effector.Because of its strongreducing capabilities, hydrazine is used as an intermediatein chemical synthesis, and in photography and metallurgy.It is also used as a rocket fuel; in the preparation of anticor-rosives; textile agents; pesticides; and as a scavenging agentfor oxygen in boiler water. Hydrazine is widely used inpharmaceutical synthesis.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irri gate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek med-ical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, includ-ing resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medi-cal attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting.Do not make an unconscious person vomit.Medical observation is recommended for 24- -48 h afterbreathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may bedelayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor orauthorized paramedic may consider administering a cortico-steroid spray. .Note to physician: Consider pyridoxine (25 mg/kg), whichhas been shown to be an effective anticonvulsant for hydra-zine poisoning.
Carcinogenicity
Hydrazine and hydrazine sulfate are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
Environmental Fate
Hydrazine can be found in the environment in small quantities
and is a component of tobacco smoke. However, hydrazine is
primarily an industrial chemical that enters the environment by
emissions from its use as an aerospace fuel and from industrial
facilities that manufacture, process, and/or use this chemical.
Treatment and disposal of wastes containing hydrazine also
contribute to environmental concentrations. However, hydrazine
rapidly degrades in the environment and is rarely
encountered outside the industrial setting.
storage
work
with hydrazine should be conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by
inhalation, and splash goggles and impermeable gloves should be worn at all times
to prevent eye and skin contact. Hydrazine should be used only in areas free of
ignition sources. Hydrazine should be stored under nitrogen in containers placed in
secondary containers in areas separate from oxidizers and acids.
Shipping
(1) Hydrazine, anhydrous or hydrazine aqueoussolutions with >64% hydrazine, by mass, requires a ship-ping labelof“CORROSIVE，POISONOUS/TOXICMATERIALS." It falls in Hazard Class 8 and PackingGroup I. (2) Hydrazine hydrate or hydrazine aqueous solu-tions, with not . < <37% but not > 64% hydrazine, by mass,requires a shipping label of“CORROSIVE, POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS." It falls in Hazard Class 8 andPacking Group II. (3) Hydrazine, aqueous solution, with not> 37% hydrazine, by mass, requires ashipping label of“COR ROSIVE，POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS.” Itfalls in Hazard Class 6.1 and Packing Group II.
Toxicity evaluation
Hydrazine is strongly corrosive and therefore severely irritates
the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Systemic toxicity
observed after hydrazine exposure is thought to be the result of
several possible mechanisms including:
1. Corrosive actions directly with tissue.
2. The reaction of hydrazine with endogenous alpha-keto
acids such as vitamin B, (pyridoxine). The formation of
hydrazones of pyridoxine is the proposed mechanism by
which hydrazine produces the neurological effects observed
after exposure.
3. The generation of free radical intermediates, which have
been detected during the metabolism of hydrazine in vitro.
The carcinogenicity of hydrazine is believed to be a result of
the condensation of hydrazine with endogenous formaldehyde
forming a formaldehyde hydrazone, which is further metabolized
to a potent DNA methylating agent causing the formation
of methylated DNA and transcription errors.
Incompatibilities
Hydrazine is a highly reactive reducing agent that forms shock-sensitive, explosive
mixtures with many compounds. It explodes on contact with barium oxide, calcium
oxide, chromate salts, and many other substances. On contact with metal catalysts
(platinum black, Raney nickel, etc.), hydrazine decomposes to ammonia, hydrogen,
and nitrogen gases, which may ignite or explode.
Waste Disposal
In the event of a spill, remove all ignition sources, soak up the hydrazine with a spill
pillow or absorbent material, place in an appropriate container, and dispose of
properly. Evacuation and cleanup using respiratory protection may be necessary in
the event of a large spill or release in a confined area.
Disposal Excess hydrazine and waste material containing this substance should be placed in
an appropriate container, clearly labeled, and handled according to your institution's
waste disposal guidelines. For more information on disposal procedures, see
Chapter 7 of this volume.
