dinitrogen tetroxide

chemical compound

Also known as: nitrogen tetroxide

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June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Dinitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄) is a colorless, toxic gas that is a dimer of nitrogen dioxide. It exists in equilibrium with nitrogen dioxide, with the balance shifting towards N₂O₄ at lower temperatures. In its liquid form, dinitrogen tetroxide is utilized as an oxidizer in rocket engines. It is one of several nitrogen oxides, which are often indicators for the broader group of nitrogen oxides (NO_x). These compounds are formed when nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures, such as during combustion.12

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ammonia
Hydrazine
and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, (H₃C)₂NNH₂, with liquid dinitrogen tetroxide, N₂O₄. Three tons of the methyl hydrazine mixture were required for the landing on the Moon, and about one ton was required for the launch from the lunar surface. The major commercial uses of hydrazine are as a blowing agent (to make holes…
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and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, (H₃C)₂NNH₂, with liquid dinitrogen tetroxide, N₂O₄. Three tons of the methyl hydrazine mixture were required for the landing on the Moon, and about one ton was required for the launch from the lunar surface. The major commercial uses of hydrazine are as a blowing agent (to make holes…
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rocket
Liquid-propellant rocket engines
(HNO₃), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄), which are liquids under ambient conditions. While some are somewhat noxious chemicals, they are useful in applications where the rocket must be in a near ready-to-fire condition over an extended period of time, as in the case of long-range ballistic missiles.
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(HNO₃), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄), which are liquids under ambient conditions. While some are somewhat noxious chemicals, they are useful in applications where the rocket must be in a near ready-to-fire condition over an extended period of time, as in the case of long-range ballistic missiles.
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relaxation phenomenon
Relaxation mechanisms
Nitrogen tetroxide (formula N₂O₄; also called dinitrogen tetroxide) actually is a dimer (a molecule formed from two similar constituents called monomers) that dissociates into two molecules of nitrogen dioxide (formula NO₂). The monomer and dimer are easily distinguishable: the former is a brown gas; the…
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Nitrogen tetroxide (formula N₂O₄; also called dinitrogen tetroxide) actually is a dimer (a molecule formed from two similar constituents called monomers) that dissociates into two molecules of nitrogen dioxide (formula NO₂). The monomer and dimer are easily distinguishable: the former is a brown gas; the…
Read More