hydrazine Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a colorless fuming corrosive liquid; a powerful reducing agent; used chiefly in rocket fuels

Hydr- + azo- + -ine.

(Chem.) Any one of a series of nitrogenous bases, resembling the amines and produced by the reduction of certain nitroso and diazo compounds; as, methyl hydrazine, phenyl hydrazine, etc. They are derivatives of hydrazine proper, H2N.NH2, which is a doubled amido group, recently (1887) isolated as a stable, colorless gas, with a peculiar, irritating odor. As a base it forms distinct salts. Called also diamide, amidogen, (or more properly diamidogen), etc.