1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

Chemical properties

yellow to pink crystals

The Uses of 1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

A DNA-damaging agent, used as a positive control in SHE cell transformation assays.

The Uses of 1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

Experimentally as carcinogen and mutagen. Formerly in preparation of diazomethane.

Definition

ChEBI: An N-nitroguanidine compound having nitroso and methyl substituents at the N'-position

Production Methods

MNNG is one of the first chemical mutagens and is a stabilized form of methylnitrosoguanidine, which has not been isolated. It does not occur in nature, and human exposure to it is limited to laboratories.

General Description

A yellow powder. Melting point 244°F. Decomposes above 212°F. A suspected carcinogen. Extremely hazardous as a mutagen. Avoid skin contact and inhalation of of vapors. Usually stored frozen (below 32°F) in polyethylene bottles that are tightly closed and contained in a metal can. May decomposed during prolonged storage and develop sufficient pressure in a closed container to explode. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Reacts violently with water .

Reactivity Profile

1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine will detonate under high impact. 1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine is sensitive to heat. A sample has exploded when melted in a sealed capillary tube. Incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents and reducing agents. Reacts with bases to release highly toxic, irritating and explosive gases. Reacts slowly with acids to release nitrous acid. Reacts with various nucleophiles, especially amines and thiols. Reacts with aqueous potassium hydroxide to form a highly reactive compound. The crude product from aqueous nitrosation is pyrophoric but recrystallized material is stable .

Health Hazard

Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some may burn rapidly with flare burning effect. Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence. Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic, tumorigenic, and teratogenic data. Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by subcutaneous route. Experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. An explosive sensitive to heat or impact. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx.

Carcinogenicity

N-Methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.