Nitrofurans are a class of broad-spectrum antibacterial
compounds that are commonly added to water to destroy
bacteria. However, nitrofurans have recently been withdrawn
for use in the United States by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Now, 2-nitrofuran is used as a minor
antimicrobial in veterinary medicine.
2-NITROFURAN is a minor antimicrobial used in veterinary medicine.
ChEBI: 2-nitrofuran is a member of furans and a C-nitro compound.
2-Nitrofuran is a yellow crystalline solid with molecular weight
of 113.07152 g mol-1. The boiling point of 2-nitrofuran is
84 ℃ at 17 hPa and the melting point is 29–33 ℃. It is
a flammable solid. Its flash point is 88 ℃ (closed cup). Vapor
pressure is 0.398mmHg at 25 ℃. This compound is soluble in
H2O and ethanol. Its density is 1.344 g cm-3.
The partition behavior of 2-nitrofuran in water, sediment,
and soil is 0.8. No data are available on its environmental
persistency (degradation/speciation), long-range transport,
bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. This chemical is
stable but it is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
2-Nitrofuran reacts with DNA to form complexes, induces
interstrand cross-links, produces alkali-labile lesions, and
interferes with nucleic acid synthesis. Removal of the nitro
group decreases the mutagenic activity.
