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Hydrazine

(Science: chemistry) 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, colourless gas, with a peculiar, irritating odour. As a base it forms distinct salts.

Synonym: diamide, amidogen, (or more properly diamidogen), etc.

Origin: Hydr- _ azo- _ -ine.