Any of a class of solvents which has an electronegative nitro group attached to a methane, ethane, or propane molecule. They are also known as nitroalkanes. Nitroparaffins are versatile compounds. They are used as solvent additives in coatings; as a solvent in separation processes; as chemical stabilizers and intermediates; as a component in fuels; to displace water from metal surfaces. (en)