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Agent Name Dapsone
Alternative Name 4,4'-Sulfonyldianiline
CAS Number 80-08-0
Formula C12-H12-N2-O2-S
Major Category Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms 1,1'-Sulfonylbis(4-aminobenzene); 1,1'-Sulphonylbis(4-aminobenzene); 1358F; 4,4'-Dapsone; 4,4'-Diaminodiphenyl sulfone; 4,4'-Diaminodiphenyl suphone; 4,4'-Sulfonylbisaniline; 4,4'-Sulfonylbisbenzamine; 4,4'-Sulfonylbisbenzenamine; 4,4'-Sulfonyldianiline; 4,4'-Sulphonylbisbenzamine; 4,4'-Sulphonylbisbenzenamine; 4,4'-Sulphonyldianiline; 4,4-Diaminodifenylsulfon [Czech]; 4-Aminophenyl sulfone; Aczone; Aniline, 4,4'-sulfonyldi-; Araldite HT 976; Avlosulfon; Avlosulfone; Avlosulphone; Benzenamine, 4,4'-sulfonylbis-; Bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfone; Bis(4-aminophenyl)sulphone; Bis(p-aminophenyl) sulfone; Bis(p-aminophenyl)sulphone; Croysulfone; Croysulphone; DADPS; DDS; DDS (pharmaceutical); DSS; DSS (VAN); Dapson; Dapsona; Dapsona [INN-Spanish]; Dapsone; Dapsonum; Dapsonum [INN-Latin]; Di(4-aminophenyl) sulfone; Di(4-aminophenyl)sulfone; Di(4-aminophenyl)sulphone; Di(p-aminophenyl) sulfone; Di(p-aminophenyl)sulphone; Diamino-4,4'-diphenyl sulfone; Diamino-4,4'-diphenyl sulphone; Diaminodifenilsulfona [Spanish]; Diaminodiphenyl sulfone; Diaphenylsulfon; Diaphenylsulfone; Diaphenylsulphon; Diaphenylsulphone; Diphenasone; Diphone; Disulone; Dubronax; Dumitone; Eporal; F 1358; HT 976; HY 976; Hardener HT 976; Metabolite C; N,N'-Diphenyl sulfondiamide; Novophone; Sulfadione; Sulfona; Sulfona-Mae; Sulfone UCB; Sulfone, diphenyl, 4,4'-diamino-; Sulphadione; Sulphonyldianiline; Sumicure S; Tarimyl; Udolac; WR 448; p,p'-Diaminodiphenyl sulfone; p,p'-Sulfonyldianiline; p,p-Diaminodiphenyl sulphone; p,p-Sulfonylbisbenzamine; p,p-Sulfonylbisbenzenamine; p,p-Sulphonylbisbenzamine; p,p-Sulphonylbisbenzenamine; p,p-Sulphonyldianiline; p-Aminophenyl sulfone; [ChemIDplus]
Category Amines, Aromatic
Description Odorless white or creamy white crystalline powder; [CAMEO]
Sources/Uses Used as an antimicrobial drug in the treatment of leprosy and a curing agent for epoxy resins;[HSDB] Also used in the treatment of malaria, Pneumocystis carinii, and some rheumatologic disorders; [Olson, p. 178]
Comments "Some of the most commonly used curing agents in the advanced composite industry are the aromatic amines. Two of the most common are 4,4'-methylene-dianiline (MDA) and 4,4'-sulfonyldianiline (DDS). Like the epoxies, these compounds have a very low vapor pressure and usually do not present an airborne hazard unless in a mixture that is sprayed or cured at high temperatures. However, potential for dermal exposure is frequently high. The aromatic amines may permeate many of the commonly used protective gloves and thus may be particularly difficult to protect against . . . . Another of the amines, DDS, has a significant amount of toxicological data as its pharmaceutical grade, Dapsone, has been used for years to treat leprosy and certain types of chronic dermal inflammation. However, at low airborne concentrations, there are no known effects from workplace exposure." [OSHA Technical Manual: Advanced Composites] Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, and liver injury have been reported after toxic ingestion. [HSDB] The therapeutic range for adults is 50-300 mg/day. 5-12% methemoglobinemia has been reported in patients taking 100 mg/day chronically. Hemolysis has not been reported in adult patients taking less than 300 mg/day. [Olson, p. 178]
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH) Not evaluated
Vapor Pressure 2.6 x 10 -08 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes Flash point > 320 deg F;
Adverse Effects
Methemoglobinemia Methemoglobinemia, Secondary
Hepatotoxin Hepatotoxin, Secondary
IARC Carcinogen Not Classifiable
Links to Other NLM Databases
Health Studies Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DAPSONE  
Toxicity Information Search TOXNET
Chemical Information Search ChemIDplus
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Last updated: January, 2009