Cetane Improver

A Cetane Improver [′sē‚tān im′prüv·ər] is a chemical which has the effect of increasing a diesel fuel's Cetane number. A few examples are nitrates, nitroalkanes, nitrocarbonates and peroxides.

One of the main Cetane Improver additives manufactured today is 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (CAS n°: 27247-96-7) which starts to decompose at 130 °C. 2-ethylhexyl nitrate is the result of the reaction of 2-ethylhexanol and nitric acid.