Nitrofurfuryl alcohol has been used as an antibacterial, antiprotozoal,
and antihelminthic drug in human and animals.
The mechanism of nitrofurfuryl alcohol toxicity is not clear but
the nitro group is believed responsible for the carcinogenicity
and mutagenicity of nitrofurfuryl alcohol.
5-Nitro-2-furfuryl alcohol is used as an antibacterial, antiprotozoal,
and antihelminthic drug in humans and animals. The
relationship between the antibacterial effect and themutagenicity
of this compound and its oxidized metabolites is important.
5-Nitrofurfuryl alcohol was used to investigate the reduction of some 2-substituted-5-nitrofuran compounds by rhodium complex [Rh(COD)(2-picoline)2](PF6) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) anchored on poly(4-vinylpyridine). It may be used for the synthesis of 5-nitrofurfuryl bromide and 5-nitrofurfurylamine hydrochloride.
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions
are carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides.