diazomethane

[ dahy-az-oh-meth-eyn, -ey-zoh- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, odorless, toxic, explosive gas, CH 2 N 2 , used chiefly as a methylating agent and in organic synthesis.

diazomethane

/ daɪˌeɪzəʊˈmiːθeɪn /

noun

1. a yellow odourless explosive gas, used as a methylating agent. Formula: CH 2 :N:N

Word History and Origins

Origin of diazomethane¹

diazo- + methane

Example Sentences

Some unofficial observers speculated that diazomethane, a gas used in making plastics, might have been spread around in some mysterious way.

From Time Magazine Archive

In order to make the compound artificially, Winegard had to work with an unstable chemical compound called diazomethane; it is a deadly, odorless yellow gas that can be inhaled without giving a warning sensation of choking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Diazomethane, CH2N2, was first obtained in 1894 by H. v.

From Project Gutenberg

Well-dried hydroxylamine hydrochloride is dissolved in methyl alcohol and mixed with sodium methylate; a solution of methyldichloramine in absolute ether is then added and an ethereal solution of diazomethane distils over.

From Project Gutenberg

Diazomethane is a yellow inodorous gas, very poisonous and corrosive.

From Project Gutenberg