| Agent Name |
Diazomethane |
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| CAS Number |
334-88-3 |
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| Formula |
C-H2-N2 |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Acomethylene; Azimethylene; Diazirine; Diazomethane; Diazonium methylide; [ChemIDplus] |
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| Category |
Other Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Description |
Yellow gas with a musty odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Diazomethane is used as a methylating agent for acidic compounds. An explosive, it is not manufactured for distribution. [ACGIH] "Because of its toxicity and its explosive nature, diazomethane is freshly prepared in situ and used in solution of ether or dioxane." [ICSC] |
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| Comments |
Toxicity in experimental animals resembles that of phosgene. [ACGIH] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; May cause asthma after repeated or prolonged exposures; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.2 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.2 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
2 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
The only available acute inhalation toxicity data concerning diazomethane is the statement by Patty [1963] that a 10�minute exposure to 175 ppm was lethal for cats [Flury and Zernik 1931]. This concentration is obviously too high for an IDLH. ACGIH [1971] reported that the toxicity of diazomethane seems comparable to that of phosgene. Therefore, the chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with phosgene, which has an IDLH of 2 ppm. |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (cats) = 175 ppm/10M |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Asthma |
Yes |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DIAZOMETHANE
|
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