Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT or MCMT) is an organomanganese compound with the formula (C5H4CH3)Mn(CO)3. Initially marketed as a supplement for use in leaded gasoline, MMT was later used in unleaded gasoline to increase the octane rating. Following the implementation of the Clean Air Act (United States) (CAA) in 1970, MMT continued to be used alongside tetraethyl lead (TEL) in the US as leaded gasoline was phased out (prior to TEL finally being banned from US gasoline in 1995), and was also used in unleaded gasoline until 1977. Ethyl Corporation obtained a waiver from the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in 1995, which allows the use of MMT in US unleaded gasoline (not including reformulated gasoline) at a treat rate equivalent to 8.3 mg Mn/L (manganese per liter). MMT has been used in Canadian gasoline since 1976 (and in numerous other countries for many years) at a concentration up to 8.3 mg Mn/L (though the importation and interprovincial trade of gasoline containing MMT was restricted briefly during the period 1997–1998) and was introduced into Australia in 2000. It has been sold under the tradenames HiTEC 3000, Cestoburn and Ecotane. MMT is also used in China. Although initially marketed in 1958 as a smoke suppressant for gas turbines, MMT was further developed as an octane enhancer in 1974. When the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the phase out of TEL in gasoline in 1973, new fuel additives were sought. TEL has been used in certain countries as an additive to increase the octane rating of automotive gasoline but has been phased out in all countries since July 2021. In 1977, the US Congress amended the CAA to require advance approval by the EPA for the continued use of fuel additives such as MMT, ethanol, ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), etc. The new CAA amendment required a "waiver" to allow use of fuel additives made of any elements other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (within certain limits) and nitrogen.