It is the precursor to the antiknock compound methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. Improvements to gasoline itself decrease the need for antiknock additives. DIPE was used as an antiknock agent. There, he worked with Thomas Midgley, Jr., as part of Kettering's team researching antiknock agents. He also held patents on lacquers, antiknock fuels, pickling inhibitors, and laminated safety glass. Antiknock additives allow for greater efficiency and peak power. Ferrocene and its derivatives are antiknock agents used in the fuel for petrol engines. Antiknock agents allow the use of higher compression ratios for greater efficiency and peak power. Lead itself is the reactive antiknock agent, and TEL serves as a gasoline-soluble lead carrier.