What Is Methyl Nitrate?
“Nitrooxymethane,” also known as methyl nitrate, is the methyl ester of nitric acid. It is a clear, colorless liquid with an aromatic odor and has a boiling point of -116°F (-82.29°C).
Methyl nitrate is a flammable liquid, characterized by a flash point of 59°F (15°C).
This compound is produced through the distillation of a methanol and nitric acid mixture. Alternatively, it can be synthesized by esterifying methanol with nitric acid in the presence of a sulfuric and nitric acid mixture.
Uses of Methyl Nitrate
Methyl nitrate is a highly explosive nitrate ester with a velocity of detonation (VOD) of approximately 8000 m/s. Historically, it was utilized as a rocket propellant, but its industrial usage has ceased. It is now primarily employed in research applications.
It is part of a group of compounds known as nitrate esters, which include ethyl nitrate, nitroglycol, nitroglycerin, and nitrocellulose. These esters are formed from the condensation of alcohol and nitric acid, losing one molecule of water in the process. Among them, nitroglycol, nitroglycerin, and nitrocellulose are still used in various industrial applications.