nitromethane

American  

[nahy-truh-meth-eyn] / ˌnaɪ trəˈmɛθ eɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily, slightly water-soluble, poisonous liquid, CH 3 NO 2 , used chiefly as a solvent, rocket fuel, and gasoline additive and in organic synthesis.

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nitromethane British  

/ ˌnaɪtrəʊˈmiːθeɪn /

noun

1. an oily colourless liquid obtained from methane and used as a solvent and rocket fuel and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: CH 3 NO 2

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Etymology

Origin of nitromethane

First recorded in 1870–75; nitro- + methane

Example Sentences

Gasoline has higher specific energy than nitromethane, but because so much more nitromethane can be burned, it can produce more than twice as much power as gasoline when combined with the same amount of oxygen.

From New York Times • May 17, 2020

But he can also be as combustible and unpredictable as the nitromethane that fuels his race car.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2018

They range from common household compounds like hydrogen peroxide, used as a hair bleach and antiseptic, to industrial solvents like nitromethane, which is used in dry-cleaning.

From Reuters • Jul. 12, 2012

Though the cars they will drive look like the real thing, there is a significant difference: they do not run on nitromethane fuel and racing alcohol but, rather, electricity.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2011

The fourth nitromethane was obtained from the nitromalonic acid previously mentioned by a repetition of the method by which the third was prepared; this was identical with the other three.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various