Tetranitromethane.

A synthetic, oily, colorless to pale yellow liquid that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol and ether. T etranitromethane is used as an oxidizing agent in rocket propellants and explosives as well as an additive to increase the cetane number of diesel fuel. In science, it is used as both an analytical reagent for the detection of double bonds in organic compounds and as a mild nitrating reagent that reacts with tyrosine residues in proteins. T he primary route of potential human exposure to tetranitromethane is inhalation. Acute inhalation exposure to tetranitromethane can result in irritation of the respiratory tract, buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and interference with the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells (methemoglobinemia). Contact with this compound can cause irritation of the eyes and skin. It is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. (NCI05) Qeios · Definition, February 7, 2020