Nitromethane is a colorless liquid organic compound that contains the nitro group (-NO2) and has chemical formula CH3NO2. This compound is widely used in the production of explosives, as well as in the racing industry as a fuel additive. Nitromethane is often referred to as nitro, and is also known by a number of synonyms, including nitrocarbol, nitrocarbolate, and nitromethyl. Other common synonyms for nitromethane include nitroxylmethane, nitroparaffin, and mononitromethane. Additionally, nitromethane is sometimes referred to as NM, and may be abbreviated as CH3NO2. Regardless of the name, nitromethane is a powerful and potentially hazardous compound that requires careful handling and storage.