1. Organic compounds derived from paraffins (alkanes) by substitution of one or more hydrogen atoms with nitro groups (-NO₂); used as solvents, fuels, and chemical intermediates.
Usage: technical; chemistry; plural form

Examples

• Nitroparaffins are commonly used as solvents in industrial applications.
• The chemical industry produces nitroparaffins for use in explosives and propellants.
• Nitromethane and nitroethane are examples of simple nitroparaffins.
• Nitroparaffins have higher polarity than their parent alkanes due to the nitro group.
• Research into nitroparaffins has expanded their use in specialty fuels and coatings.