Product Name: 2-Formylimidazole
Chemical Formula: C4H4N2O
CAS Number: 670-98-4
Synonyms: Imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemical, intermediate in chemical synthesis
Supplier Details: Company address, contact number, and emergency hotline (refer to your laboratory’s supplier details for accurate information)
Emergency Contact: National Poison Center (check local listings), internal lab safety officer phone numbers available on lab doors and safety boards
Hazard Classification: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, possible respiratory irritant
GHS Label Elements: Exclamation mark symbol under GHS07
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: H302: Harmful if swallowed; H315: Causes skin irritation; H319: Causes serious eye irritation; H335: May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: P264: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; P280: Wear protective gloves, eye and face protection; P301+P312: If swallowed, call a poison center or doctor; P305+P351+P338: If in eyes, rinse cautiously with water, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do
Chemical Name: 2-Formylimidazole
CAS Number: 670-98-4
Concentration (%): 99+% (technical or analytical grade)
Impurities: Trace imidazole derivatives, formic acid not exceeding 0.5% by weight in usual batches
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop such as coughing or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Immediately wash with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, consult a medical professional if redness or irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, lift eyelids occasionally, continue until pain subsides, call for medical advice if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not force vomiting unless advised by a doctor, seek immediate medical attention
Self-protection of First Aider: Wear gloves and safety goggles during rescue, avoid creating dust, keep doors open for rapid exit if needed
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguishers
Unsuitable Media: Do not use direct water jet as it may spread burning powder
Specific Hazards During Fire: Toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, and hydrogen cyanide can develop during combustion, local ventilation and evacuation plans should be ready; heat can cause containers to rupture
Special Firefighting Procedures: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), chemical resistant suit, remain upwind, douse smoldering powders from the edge to prevent splashing
Explosion Data: No data on explosive hazard, dust accumulation in storage may pose fire risks
Personal Precautions: Clear area, ventilate room, keep unnecessary personnel away, wear gloves, goggles, and NIOSH-approved respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, soil, or waterways; use absorbents for small spills
Methods for Containment and Clean Up: Scoop up solid spills carefully, sweep without creating dust clouds, transfer to labeled waste container, clean surfaces with plenty of water, avoid reuse of contaminated cleaning tools
Notification Procedures: Inform laboratory or workplace supervisors, comply with local and federal reporting regulations
Safe Handling Advice: Use fume hood, avoid inhaling dust, handle in well-ventilated space, wash hands after contact, avoid eating or drinking in the working area
Storage Conditions: Keep in tightly closed containers, store in a cool, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, incompatible substances (acids, oxidizers), no open flames nearby
Special Requirements: Labelling is crucial for safety, inventory logs kept for all containers, emergency showers and eyewash stations accessible
Packing Materials: Use non-reactive bottles or containers; glass or high-density polyethylene recommended; avoid metal lids if using acidic stock
Exposure Limit Values: No established OSHA or ACGIH limits for 2-Formylimidazole; work under recognized laboratory air quality limits
Engineering Controls: Use with fume hoods, natural or mechanical ventilation, local exhaust systems where possible
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves (nitrile recommended), safety goggles or face shield, lab coat, closed-toe shoes, dust mask or respirator for powder handling
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling, do not touch face or exposed skin, clean surfaces regularly
Appearance: Off-white to pale yellow crystalline powder
Odor: Faint, organic or pungent odor
Melting Point: 102 - 106 °C
Boiling Point: Data not readily available, decomposition probable before boiling
Relative Density: Estimated around 1.15 - 1.20 (at 20 °C)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide
pH: Data not specified; expected to form weakly acidic solution
Vapor Pressure: Not significant at room temperature
Flash Point: Not easily flammable under standard lab conditions
Partition Coefficient: Not determined; presumed to be low
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable for solid; dust formation possible
Viscosity: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage
Conditions to Avoid: Humidity, heat, exposure to air, incompatible chemicals (oxidizers and acids), static electricity from pouring powders
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, certain reactive metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, possible traces of formic acid and imidazole upon incineration
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: No polymerization expected under normal uses, dust may form explosive mixture in air if concentrations rise
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Data limited; based on related compounds, oral ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, and mild toxicity
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause irritation, redness, or rash with prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Can cause moderate to severe eye irritation; may lead to conjunctivitis if not treated
Respiratory Effects: Inhaled dust may cause coughing, dryness of the throat
Chronic Toxicity: No reliable long-term studies; avoid repeated or prolonged exposure
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: Not classified as carcinogen, no confirmed mutagenic or reproductive effects (data sparse, so err on side of caution)
Ecotoxicity: No extensive studies; small releases unlikely to persist, but as with most organics, avoid direct releases to the environment
Persistence and Degradability: Compound is not expected to be highly resistant to degradation; most aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds break down under environmental conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low
Mobility in Soil: Moderately mobile if dissolved, but poor solubility likely limits widespread travel
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid adding solutions to wastewater or streams; even low-toxicity chemicals damage aquatic habitats with continual discharge
Waste Treatment Methods: Small quantities for laboratory work should go into dedicated organic waste streams; do not flush down the drain
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse empty bottles and dispose of following local regulations for hazardous waste; keep lids loosely fitted until fully dry
Disposal Precautions: Seal all containers before pickup by chemical waste contractors; clearly label every waste container with substance name and hazard class
Special Instructions: Notify environmental health and safety (EHS) staff for bulk disposal; avoid burning unless handled by incineration service, as toxic fumes can develop
UN Number: Not assigned; check case-by-case with shipping authorities
Proper Shipping Name: Chemical samples (2-Formylimidazole, laboratory use only)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated as dangerous for ground, air, or sea, unless shipped in bulk
Packing Group: Not classified
Marine Pollutant: Not considered marine pollutant, take precautions to avoid leaks
Special Precautions for Transport: Use leak-proof packaging, clearly label in transit, maintain documentation of content and hazards, avoid transport with incompatible chemicals
OSHA: Not specifically regulated under OSHA hazardous chemical standards
TSCA (USA): Listed
REACH (EU): Not registered for large-scale use; check country requirements
SARA Title III (USA): Not listed as extremely hazardous, but general duty clause applies
WHMIS (Canada): Not controlled; respect general chemical safety policies
Other Local, State, Federal Laws: Always check current chemical inventory and export lists for latest rules; universities and research labs update their procedures routinely, so keep MSDS ready for audits
