Tetraethyllead

Tetraethyllead (commonly styled tetraethyl lead), shortened to TEL, is a chemical compound with the formula (CH₃CH₂)₄Pb. They added this into petro-fuel. It was first mixed with gasoline in the 1920s. It increased vehicle performance and fuel economy by stopping engine knocking. TEL had been identified chemically in the mid-19th century. In recent years, this chemical has been linked to climate change and is highly toxic. It is no longer used in fuels because of this (most are now "unleaded").

References

↑ "Tetra-Ethyl Lead as an Addition to Petrol". British Medical Journal. 1 (3504): 366–7. 3 March 1928. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.3504.366. PMC 2455205. PMID 20773729.
↑ "After Lead?", Popular Science (October 1987 ed.), Bonnier Corporation, p. 94, October 1987
↑ "TETRAETHYL LEAD - National Library of Medicine HSDB Database".

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[BMJ1928-1] "Tetra-Ethyl Lead as an Addition to Petrol". British Medical Journal. 1 (3504): 366–7. 3 March 1928. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.3504.366. PMC 2455205. PMID 20773729.

[2] "After Lead?", Popular Science (October 1987 ed.), Bonnier Corporation, p. 94, October 1987

[3] "TETRAETHYL LEAD - National Library of Medicine HSDB Database".