Product Name: 2-Methyl-5-Nitro Imidazole
Synonyms: Metronidazole base, 5-Nitro-2-methylimidazole
CAS Number: 879-06-5
Manufacturer: Refer to supplier details on actual label
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemicals, synthesis of pharmaceuticals, research and development projects
Emergency Contact: Refer to regional poison control and local chemical safety hotlines for emergencies.
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin irritation, Eye irritation, Specific target organ toxicity after single exposure, Mutagenicity suspect
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, health hazard
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; may cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract; suspected of causing genetic defects based on animal studies
Precautionary Statements: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid breathing dust or vapors, wear eye and face protection, use gloves and protective clothing, seek medical advice if feeling unwell
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation, ingestion
Environmental Hazard: Slightly hazardous to aquatic life with long lasting effects; do not allow product to enter waterways.
Chemical Name: 2-Methyl-5-Nitro Imidazole
CAS Number: 879-06-5
Concentration: ≥99% (pure solid form)
Impurities: Trace process-related materials, usually less than 1%
Other Names: Metronidazole base, 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole sometimes referenced in similar contexts but chemically distinct
Molecular Formula: C4H5N3O2
Molecular Weight: 127.10 g/mol
General Advice: Move exposed person to a safe location and remove contaminated clothing; avoid direct contact with substance during treatment
Inhalation: Take individual to fresh air, keep at rest, and seek immediate medical attention if breathing is difficult; administer oxygen by trained personnel if breathing is impaired
Skin Contact: Rinse skin copiously with water for at least fifteen minutes; remove contaminated clothes and shoes as soon as possible; consult medical help if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with plenty of water for at least fifteen minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; get medical attention if visible damage or symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; seek medical advice immediately and show this safety sheet to attending physician
Important Symptoms: May induce headache, nausea, vomiting, irritation to mucous membrane, and, with repeated exposure or improper handling, possible systemic toxicity
Notes for Doctor: Treat symptomatically and consider effects from delayed exposure; monitor for possible allergic reactions or systemic symptoms in case of large exposure.
Extinguishing Media: Use powder, foam, dry sand, or carbon dioxide; avoid direct stream of water to prevent spread and potential dust dispersal
Hazards from Combustion: Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other irritating or highly toxic gases
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters require full protective equipment and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Move containers from area if safe, use water spray to cool unopened containers exposed to heat, and avoid run-off into drains and waterways
Specific Hazards: Dust may form explosive mixtures with air in confined spaces; combustion product residues require special disposal procedures due to toxicity.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, provide adequate ventilation, use personal protective equipment including gloves, safety glasses, and mask or respirator for dust control
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers and waterways, contain spilled material where practical using barriers or absorbent materials
Methods for Clean-up: Use inert material like sand or vermiculite to absorb, scoop into labeled containers for disposal, clean residue with water and detergent, avoid dry sweeping that can raise dust
Reference to Emergency Procedures: Refer to Section 8 for personal protection and Section 13 for disposal; report spills to environmental authorities if local laws require notification.
Handling Guidance: Open containers under a chemical fume hood, avoid inhalation or contact with skin and eyes; do not eat, drink, or smoke while using; avoid dust formation during weighing and transfer
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed original container away from direct sunlight, moisture, and incompatible substances (strong oxidizers, strong acids, bases); prefer a cool, dry, well-ventilated space dedicated to chemical storage
Special Handling Precautions: Ground and bond bulk containers to prevent static buildup; use non-sparking tools for transfer
Incompatibilities: Keep separate from strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents to avoid hazardous polymerization or decomposition.
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established for this substance to date; sensible to minimize exposures as low as reasonably achievable
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation at points of dust generation, general room ventilation, fume hoods for open transfers and weighing
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear rubber or nitrile gloves, chemical-resistant goggles, lab coat, and, if dust is present, respiratory protection (N95 or P100 respirator as applicable)
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse, do not bring food or beverages into working area
Environmental Controls: Use closed systems or enclosures for high quantity production areas, maintain spill control supplies in working area.
Appearance: Light yellow or yellow-tan crystalline powder, with faint odor
Odor: Characteristic but weak, not readily noticeable
Melting Point: 159-163 °C
Boiling Point: Not readily applicable (decomposes)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in ethanol and methanol
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Vapor Density: Not determined
pH: Not available in aqueous solution; neutral to slightly acidic in organic solvents
Density: 1.37 g/cm³ (estimated)
Flash Point: >200 °C (closed cup)
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): 0.08 (measured for similar nitroimidazoles)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, sensitive to light and moisture over extended periods
Decomposition Products: Can release hazardous fumes such as nitrous gases and carbon monoxide upon thermal decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, direct light, humidity, and exposure to incompatible materials
Incompatibility: Strong acids, oxidizers, reducing agents; may react with bases to produce hazardous gases
Hazardous Reactions: Polymerization not expected under standard handling; avoid dust clouds in air as potential for ignition increases.
Acute Toxicity: Oral exposure may induce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache; significant exposure may affect central nervous system and blood parameters
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure has been linked in animal studies to mutagenicity and potential carcinogenicity; not classified as carcinogen by IARC but scientific concern still present
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eye contact
Skin Irritation: May cause redness or swelling on contact; more significant reaction possible with broken skin
Eye Irritation: Risk of moderate to severe irritation on direct exposure; tearing, redness, and pain possible
Inhalation: Dust inhalation may cause coughing, throat irritation, respiratory discomfort
Additional Information: Studies with related compounds report reversible changes in blood counts with occupational exposures; reproductive effects require further research; follow good laboratory hygiene.
Ecotoxicity: Mild to moderate aquatic toxicity in fish and invertebrate studies at high concentrations based on similar nitroimidazoles
Persistence and Biodegradability: Not readily biodegradable; may persist in soil and water for extended periods; degradation mainly photolytic and microbial under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms based on log Pow value and mobility studies
Mobility in Soil: Moderate mobility due to water solubility characteristics; runoff risk in heavy usage sites
Other Adverse Effects: Harmful to soil microorganisms at high concentrations, impacts to the food chain possible if released into waterways
Waste Disposal: Collect and contain for chemical disposal as hazardous waste following local regulations; dilute aqueous solutions require neutralization before disposal; consult regional authority for methods
Container Disposal: Containers, even when empty, retain product residue; triple rinse and puncture before controlled landfill or incineration according to laws
Disposal Methods: Use high-temperature incineration for solid and concentrated forms; wastewater treatments for diluted solutions after appropriate treatment
Precautions: Do not discharge into drains, sewers, or surface waters, and avoid dispersion of dust during disposal processes.
UN Number: Not classified under UN numbers for dangerous goods due to low combustibility and hazard profile
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated, but good practice treats it as potentially harmful; label with appropriate chemical symbol and hazard information during local movement
Packing Group: Not applicable due to current regulations
Special Provisions: Avoid extreme temperatures, protect from moisture and sunlight during transit, secure containers to prevent breakage or leaks
Transport Remarks: For bulk or large shipments, consider spill control kits and documentation for emergency responders.
Labelling: Complies with local and international chemical regulations for labeling hazardous substances, including pictograms, product, and supplier details
Inventory Status: Listed or nominated for registration in major chemical inventories such as TSCA (USA), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia)
Workplace Safety: Subject to regional workplace hazard communication standards; users required to provide training and PPE to workers handling the chemical
Specific Restrictions: Presence or use in food or topical preparations regulated; not approved for direct human consumption outside controlled medical protocols
Emergency Procedures: Reference to national and local emergency chemical release and waste handling laws; safety data sheets must remain accessible in areas where chemical is used or stored.
