Dinitrogen tetroxide

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Dinitrogen tetroxide
Full structural formula
Full structural formula
Space-filling model
Space-filling model
Names
IUPAC name
Dinitrogen tetraoxide
Other names
Dinitrogen(II) oxide(-I)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.031.012
EC Number
  • 234-126-4
RTECS number
  • QW9800000
UN number 1067
  • [O-] [N+](=O)[N+]([O-])=O
Properties
N2O4
Molar mass 92.011 g/mol
Appearance colourless liquid / orange gas
Density 1.44246 g/cm3 (liquid, 21 °C)
Melting point −11.2 °C (11.8 °F; 261.9 K)
Boiling point 21.69 °C (71.04 °F; 294.84 K)
reacts
Vapor pressure 96 kPa (20 °C)[1]
1.00112
Structure
planar, D2h
zero
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation
ΔfHo298
+9.16 kJ/mol[2]
Standard molar
entropy
So298
304.29 J K−1 mol−1[2]
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
EU classification Very toxic (T+)
Corrosive (C)
EU Index 007-002-00-0
NFPA 704

0
3
0
OX
R-phrases R26, R34
S-phrases (S1/2), S9, S26, S28, S36/37/39, S45
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related nitrogen oxides Nitrous oxide
Nitric oxide
Dinitrogen trioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Dinitrogen pentoxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Dinitrogen tetroxide, also known as nitrogen tetroxide or dinitrogen tetraoxide, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is N2O4. It contains nitrogen in its +4 oxidation state. It contains nitrogen and oxide ions.

Properties[change | change source]

It is a colorless gas, although it is sometimes polluted with nitrogen dioxide. It is very corrosive and a strong oxidizing agent. It can ignite on contact with hydrazine. It can be made by bonding two nitrogen dioxide molecules together at a low temperature or a high pressure.

Preparation[change | change source]

It is made by bonding nitrogen dioxide molecules together in pairs.

Uses[change | change source]

It is used as a rocket propellant, along with hydrazine. This mixture is good since it does not have to be ignited. It is used similar to nitrogen dioxide to make nitric acid. It can react with metals to make nitrates.

Safety[change | change source]

Dinitrogen is highly toxic and corrosive. Some astronauts breathed it and had to go to a hospital.

Related pages[change | change source]

Sources[change | change source]

  1. International Chemical Safety Card
  2. 2.0 2.1 P.W. Atkins and J. de Paula, Physical Chemistry (8th ed., W.H. Freeman, 2006) p.999