1-Nitropropane (1-NP), a representative small nitro-alkane, is widely used as an industrial solvent and a fuel additive in automobiles and aircraft engines. The improvement effects of 1-NP on fuel combustion demonstrate that 1-NP served as an initiator can rapidly produce a large number of reactive radicals, which significantly increases the fuel conversion rate. In addition, among the small nitro-alkanes, the molecular structure of 1-NP endows it with a higher specific impulse. It provides the possibilities for its application as propellant in long-range rocket systems[1].
Colorless liquid.Soluble in
water 1.4 mL/100 mL (20C); solubility of water in
1-nitropropane 0.5 cc/100 cc (20C).
1-Nitropropane is a colorless liquid with a mild,
fruity odor.
Colorless, oily liquid with a mild, fruity odor. A detection odor threshold concentration of 510
mg/m3 (140 ppmv) was experimentally determined by Dravnieks (1974).
The solvent of 1-Nitropropane is mainly used coatings, inks and separation processes.
Solvent for organic materials; propellant
fuel; gasoline additive
Solvent, chemical synthesis, rocket propellant,
gasoline additive.
1-Nitropropane is produced by vapor-phase nitration of propane with nitric acid
(Baker and Bollmeier 1978) or by the vapor-phase nitration of butanol (HSDB
1988).
ChEBI: 1-nitropropane is a nitroalkane that is propane substituted at C-1 by a nitro group. It derives from a hydride of a propane.
Flammable, moderate fire risk, moderate
explosion hazard when shocked or heated. Liver
damage, eye and upper respiratory tract irritant.
Questionable carcinogen.
Humans exposed briefly to vapors of 1-nitropropane were found to have concentrations
exceeding 100 p.p.m. irritating to the eyes (HSDB 1988). The chemical
may produce anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea as well as injury to the liver and
kidneys in exposed humans. High concentrations of the chemical also may
produce methemoglobinemia with cyanosis. 1-Nitropropane vapors also are
damaging to the lungs. 1-Nitropropane is, however, more acutely irritating to mucus membranes than 2-nitropropane. Despite this, the TLV for human exposure
to 2-nitropropane is less than that for 1-nitropropane, based on the carcinogenic
potential of 2-nitropropane in rats.
1-Nitropropane is used as a solvent for cellulose acetate, vinyl resins and lacquers.
It is also used as a gasoline additive (HSDB 1988).
Poison by ingestion and
intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by
inhalation. A human eye irritant. Human
systemic effects by inhalation: conjunctiva
irritation. Mutation data reported. Very
dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat,
open flame, or oxidizers. Reacts violently
with Ca(OH)2, hydrocarbons, hydroxides,
inorganic bases. May explode on heating.
Metal oxides increase its sensitivity to
thermal ignition. To fight fire, use alcohol
foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray. When
heated to decomposition it emits toxic
fumes of NOx. See also 2-
NITROPROPANE, NITROALKANES,
and NITRO COMPOUNDS.
1-Nitropropane is used as a solvent
for polymers, as a stabilizer; and in organic synthesis.
Note: Technical products measurably contaminated with
2-Nitropropane, see also 2-Nitropropane (N: 0550)
1-Nitropropane is a substrate for the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent
mixed-function oxidase system. Oxidative denitrification of 1-nitropropane by
phenobarbital-induced rat microsomes occurred at a rate of 0.6 nmole/min/mg
protein. This rate was much slower than for 2-nitropropane which was metabolized
at 2.4 nmole/min/mg microsomal protein (Ullrich et al 1978).
The role of the cytochrome P-450 system in vivo in 1-nitropropane metabolism
is unknown. Bray and James (1958) isolated a small amount of a mercapturic acid
metabolite from the urine of rabbits dosed with 1-nitropropane.
UN2608 Nitropropanes, Hazard Class: 3; Labels:
3-Flammable liquid.
Purify it as for nitromethane. [Beilstein 1 IV 229.]
1-Nitropropane, a nitroparaffinin, forms
exposive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers
(chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates,
chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires
or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong
bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, reducing agents;
nitrates, amines, hydrocarbons, and other combustible
materials; metal oxides. May explode on heating.
[1] Li He . “Ignition characteristics of 1-Nitropropane: Experimental measurements and kinetic modeling.” Fuel 317 (2022): Article 123385.
