What is unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine?

Answer 1

Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) has the chemical formula C2H8N2, but that's only part of the story, as you might have guessed. There is a symmetrical and an unsymmetrical "version" of this chemical compound. Let's start with the middle of the compound: N-N That's the pair of nitrogen atoms with a single bond between them. Now we have to deal with the pair of bonds on each nitrogen atom. There is a CH3 and a CH3 and H and H to add to the "mix" here. It's simple from here on out. In UDMH, unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (1,1 dimethylhydrazine), the H and the H are bonded to the "end" of one nitrogen atom, and the CH3 and the CH3 are bonded to the "end" of the other nitrogen atom. It's unsymmetrical because the H's are both on one end, and the CH3's are both on the other end. It might look something like this: HH N-N CH3CH3 The unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine finds use as a component of rocket fuel. But you have to keep this stuff capped to isolate it from air 'cause it likes to take up the moisture in it, and the O2 and CO2 as well. These dilute its effectiveness as a propellant. It's fairly stable, and cannot be set off by shock, but it's volitile, as you might have guessed. In symmetrical dimethylhydrazine (1,2 dimethylhydrazine), H and CH3 are on one outside, and CH3 and H are on the other outside. Note that the H's and the CH3's are on opposite "corners" of the molecule. If you look at the thing, it might look like this: CH3H N-N HCH3 This particularly nasty compound is a powerful carcinogen, and it is used to induce tumors in animals for research purposes. UDMH has roots in hydrazine (N2H4), which has been known for quite a while (since the late 1800's). It was incorporated in the earliest rocket fuels, but UDMH rapidly replaced it for the most part. It is certain that the Natzi war machine used it, and the Me 163 Komet is an example of a user of hydrazine fuel. UDMH might be viewed as at "take off" from hydrazine. Links can be found below for more information.

Answer 2

Rocket fuel