2-METHYLACETANILIDE

Chemical properties

WHITE TO OFF-WHITE CRYSTALLINE POWDER

The Uses of 2-METHYLACETANILIDE

o-Methylacetanilide is a substituted acetanilide that is used as precursor for various pharmaceuticals including their intermediates.

The Uses of 2-METHYLACETANILIDE

Acetanilide is used as an inhibitor of peroxides and?stabilizer for cellulose ester varnishes.?It is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of?rubber accelerators, dyes and dye intermediate and camphor. It is used as a precursor in penicillin synthesis and other pharmaceuticals including painkillers and intermediates.

Definition

ChEBI: 2`-Methylacetanilide is a member of toluenes.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 106, p. 5759, 1984 DOI: 10.1021/ja00331a073
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 5, p. 650, 1973

General Description

Colorless crystals. Insoluble in water.

Air & Water Reactions

Water insoluble.

Reactivity Profile

2-METHYLACETANILIDE is an amide. Amides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Health Hazard

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Toxic. Hazardous decomposition products.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion.Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.

Purification Methods

Crystallise the toluidide from hot H2O (solubility 1g/210mL), EtOH or aqueous EtOH. UV: max 230 and 280nm (EtOH). [Beilstein 12 H 792, 12 I 376, 12 II 439, 12 III 1853, 12 IV 1755.]