Symmetrical dimethylhydrazine (SDMH), or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, is the organic compound with the formula (CH
3NH)
2. It is one of the two isomers of
dimethylhydrazine
Dimethylhydrazine is the name of two compounds with the molecular formula C2H8N2. These are:
* unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (1,1-dimethylhydrazine), with both methyl groups bonded to the same nitrogen atom
* symmetrical dimethylhydrazine (1,2 ...
. Both isomers are colorless liquids at room temperature, with properties similar to those of
methylamine
Methylamine, also known as methanamine, is an organic compound with a formula of . This colorless gas is a derivative of ammonia, but with one hydrogen atom being replaced by a methyl group. It is the simplest primary amine.
Methylamine is sold ...
s. Symmetrical dimethylhydrazine is a potent
carcinogen
A carcinogen () is any agent that promotes the development of cancer. Carcinogens can include synthetic chemicals, naturally occurring substances, physical agents such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and biologic agents such as viruse ...
that acts as a
DNA methylating agent. The compound has no commercial value, in contrast to its isomer
unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine
Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (abbreviated as UDMH; also known as 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, heptyl or Geptil) is a chemical compound with the formula H2NN(CH3)2 that is primarily used as a rocket propellant. At room temperature, UDMH is a colorle ...
(1,1-dimethylhydrazine, UDMH), which is used as a rocket fuel. Symmetrical dimethylhydrazine is more toxic than unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and is therefore an unwanted impurity in UDMH.
It is used to induce colon tumors in experimental animals—particularly mice and feline cell samples.
References
{{hydrazines
Methylating agents
Hydrazines
IARC Group 2A carcinogens