Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of fine chemicals. Headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China, we are committed to delivering high-quality products to our global partners. Currently, over 90% of our products are exported to developed markets, including North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Product Description
1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea, abbreviated as MNU, is a nitroso-containing organic compound with strong alkylating properties and biological activity. It is a pale yellow crystalline solid at room temperature, with a slight pungent odor. It is slightly soluble in water and easily soluble in polar organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, and DMSO. As a typical alkylating agent, MNU can transfer methyl groups to nucleic acids, proteins, and other biological macromolecules, inducing DNA damage and mutations. It is widely used in biochemical research, especially in the fields of cancer research, genetic mutation research, and animal model establishment, and also serves as an intermediate in organic synthesis.
Uses
Biochemical & Biomedical Research: As a classic chemical mutagen and alkylating agent, it is widely used to induce mutations in cells and organisms, establish animal models of cancer (such as glioma, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer), and study the mechanism of DNA damage, repair, and tumorigenesis. It is often used in cell culture experiments to treat various cell lines (such as HeLa cells, HepG2 cells) to explore the effects of alkylation damage on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression. Additionally, it is used in genetic research to induce mutations in model organisms (such as mice, zebrafish, and Drosophila) for gene function analysis.
Pharmaceutical Field: Serves as an important intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, especially in the research and development of anti-tumor drugs and antiviral drugs. Its alkylating properties provide a basis for the design and synthesis of drugs that target abnormal DNA replication in tumor cells. It is also used in the study of drug resistance mechanisms of tumor cells, providing experimental support for the optimization of clinical drug regimens.
Organic Synthesis: Used as an alkylating reagent in organic synthesis reactions, it can introduce methyl groups into various organic molecules, such as the methylation of amines, phenols, and carboxylic acids. It is widely used in the synthesis of fine chemicals, dyes, and functional materials due to its high reactivity and simple operation.
Agricultural Science Research: Used in crop genetic breeding research to induce mutations in crop seeds, screen for beneficial mutant traits (such as disease resistance, stress resistance, and high yield), and provide new germplasm resources for agricultural production. It is also used to study the genetic variation rules of crops and the mechanism of stress response.
Molecular Formula & Structure
- Molecular Formula: C?H?N?O?
- Molecular Weight: 103.08 g/mol
- IUPAC Name: 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea
- Synonyms: MNU; N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea; 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea; MFCD00007500; BRN 1751982; PubChem Substance ID: 24898796
- EC Number: 211-673-1
- SMILES Code: CN(NO)C(=O)NH?
- Chemical Structure: The molecule consists of a urea backbone, with one amino group substituted by a methyl group (-CH?) and another amino group substituted by a nitroso group (-NO). The urea structure contains a carbonyl group (C=O) connected to two amino groups, forming a planar structure. The nitroso group has a resonance structure, which endows MNU with high reactivity and alkylating ability, and its ability to transfer methyl groups is the core of its biological and chemical properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
- Appearance: Pale yellow crystalline solid, with a slight pungent odor; prone to discoloration (turning dark yellow or brown) when exposed to light, heat, or moisture, and may decompose gradually.
- Melting Point: 124–126 °C (decomposes); Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling; Flash Point: 110 °C (closed cup); combustible solid, may decompose and release toxic gases when heated.
- Density: 1.32 g/cm3 (20 °C); Refractive Index: 1.5120 (estimate, 20 °C); pKa: 12.5 (at 25 °C, predicted).
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (about 5 g/L at 20 °C), soluble in ethanol, methanol, acetone, DMSO, and other polar organic solvents; insoluble in non-polar solvents such as benzene, ether, and hexane.
- Stability: Poor stability, highly sensitive to light, heat, and moisture. It decomposes easily when exposed to sunlight or high temperature (above 80 °C), releasing toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and methylamine. It is relatively stable when stored in a low-temperature, sealed, and light-resistant environment; avoid contact with strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizing agents to prevent accelerated decomposition.
- Toxicity: Highly toxic; it is a potential carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen. Oral administration or inhalation can cause severe damage to the digestive system, respiratory system, and nervous system. It may cause skin and eye irritation; long-term or repeated exposure may induce mutations and tumors. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause environmental pollution.
Synthesis & Storage
- Synthesis: The main synthetic method is the nitrosation reaction of methylurea: Methylurea is reacted with a nitrosating agent (such as sodium nitrite, nitrous acid) in an acidic environment (such as hydrochloric acid, acetic acid) at low temperature (0–5 °C) to generate 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea. After the reaction, the product is purified by recrystallization (using ethanol or acetone as the solvent) to obtain high-purity MNU. The reaction process needs to be strictly controlled to avoid excessive nitrosation and side reactions, and safety protection measures should be taken to prevent exposure to toxic intermediates.
- Storage: Shipped and stored in dry ice or low-temperature insulation containers; sealed in airtight, light-resistant containers (such as dark glass bottles or teflon-lined containers) under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon). Stored in a low-temperature environment: recommended storage temperature is -20 °C, and it can be stored in a refrigerator freezer for long-term preservation. It should be stored separately from strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing agents, and food, and marked with clear toxic and carcinogenic warnings. Shelf life: 12 months when unopened and stored properly at -20 °C; use as soon as possible after opening to prevent decomposition, and the opened product should be sealed and stored in a low-temperature environment for no more than 1 month.
- Safety: Operate in a well-ventilated fume hood, and wear full protective equipment (nitrile gloves, chemical protective goggles, gas mask, and chemical protective clothing). Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; avoid inhalation of dust or vapor. During operation, strictly control the temperature to prevent decomposition. In case of skin contact, immediately wash with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes; in case of eye contact, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and seek medical advice immediately. In case of ingestion, do not induce vomiting, and seek medical advice immediately. Dispose of waste and contaminated containers in accordance with relevant environmental regulations and hazardous waste disposal standards, and do not discard them at will.
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