What is the Difference Between Hydrazine and Hydrazine Hydrate

The key difference between hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate is that hydrazine is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula N2H4, whereas hydrazine hydrate is hydrazine in association with water molecules.

Hydrazine hydrate is a derivative of hydrazine. It has one hydrazine molecule in association with one water molecule. Hydrazine is mainly useful as a foaming agent in preparing polymer foams, as a precursor to polymerization catalysts, and in pharmaceuticals. Hydrazine hydrate is used as a reducing agent, blowing agent, corrosion inhibitor, oxygen scavenger, or as an intermediate of synthesis of some materials.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hydrazine 
3. What is Hydrazine Hydrate
4. Hydrazine vs Hydrazine Hydrate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Hydrazine vs Hydrazine Hydrate 

What is Hydrazine?

Hydrazine is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula N2H4. We can describe it as a simple pnictogen hydride, and it is a colourless and flammable liquid having an ammonical odour. This compound is highly toxic, and we should handle this substance with care. Its toxicity lowers if it is used in a solution, e.g. hydrazine hydrate.

Hydrazine is mainly useful as a foaming agent, which is important in preparing polymer foams. Moreover, it is useful as a precursor to polymerization catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, as well as a long-term storable propellant for in-space spacecraft propulsion.

There are many different routes for the production of hydrazine, including oxidation of ammonia via oxaziridines from peroxide, chlorine-based oxidations, etc. When considering the reactions of hydrazine, it shows acid-base behaviour where hydrazine can form a monohydrate that is denser than the anhydrous form, and it has basic (alkali) properties that are comparable with ammonia. In addition, hydrazine can undergo redox reactions because it can act as a reductant, giving byproducts which are typically nitrogen and water.

What is Hydrazine Hydrate?

Hydrazine hydrate is hydrazine in combination with water. It is useful as a water-based solution to be used as a reducing agent, blowing agent, corrosion inhibitor, oxygen scavenger, or as an intermediate of synthesis of some materials.

Usually, hydrazine hydrate should be carefully handled because it can cause respiratory tract irritation and ingestion toxicity when swallowed. If it is absorbed through the skin, it can be skin toxic. It can even cause some skin burns.

We can prepare hydrazine hydrate from carrying out reactions on ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and butanine in the presence of a catalyst to generate methyl ethyl azine. Moreover, if we need to remove hydrazine hydrate from a particular reaction mixture, we can pass a gaseous stream of ozone at standard temperature and pressure conditions.

What is the Difference Between Hydrazine and Hydrazine Hydrate?

Hydrazine hydrate is a derivative of hydrazine. It has one hydrazine molecule in association with one water molecule. The key difference between hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate is that hydrazine is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula N2H4, whereas hydrazine hydrate is hydrazine in association with water molecules. Moreover, hydrazine is mainly useful as a foaming agent in preparing polymer foams, as a precursor to polymerization catalysts, pharmaceuticals, etc. On the other hand, hydrazine hydrate is used as a reducing agent, blowing agent, corrosion inhibitor, oxygen scavenger, or as an intermediate of synthesis of some materials.

Below is a summary of the difference between hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Hydrazine vs Hydrazine Hydrate

Hydrazine hydrate is a toxic substance. The key difference between hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate is that hydrazine is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula N2H4 whereas hydrazine hydrate is hydrazine in association with water molecules.

Reference:

1. “Hydrazine Hydrate.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Nickel Hydrazine Nitrate” By Ericahls – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Sample of hydrazine hydrate” By LHcheM – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia