Hydrazine

HYDRAZINE, H₂N-NH₂, a liquid boiling at 113° and possessing strong alkaline properties (a powerful reducing agent). The derivative of hydrazine, phenylhydrazine, serves as a very valuable reagent in the isolation and identification of sugars and generally of substances containing an aldehyde or ketone group. All monosaccharides and some disaccharides combine with phenylhydrazine, forming hydrazones (with 1 molecule) and osazones (with 2 molecules). The latter are difficult to dissolve and form characteristic crystals. Individual osazones differ from each other in crystalline form, melting point, and solubility. Hydrazine is a typical protoplasmic poison. In animals, poisoning with hydrazine causes methemoglobinuria. Death occurs from paralysis after the most severe convulsions; small doses of hydrazine cause vomiting and then collapse. Chronic poisoning with hydrazine causes fatty degeneration of the liver. Derivatives of hydrazine act similarly to the basic substance.