Chemical Properties
yellow to pink crystals
Uses
Experimentally as carcinogen and mutagen. Formerly in preparation of diazomethane.
Uses
A DNA-damaging agent, used as a positive control in SHE cell transformation assays.
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.
Definition
ChEBI: An N-nitroguanidine compound having nitroso and methyl substituents at the N'-position
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.
