Product Name: N-Methylimidazole
Chemical Formula: C4H6N2
Synonyms: 1-Methylimidazole, NMI
CAS Number: 616-47-7
Manufacturer: Contact supplier details on shipping container or invoice.
Recommended Use: Used in pharmaceuticals, organic synthesis, catalytic processes, dye manufacturing.
Contact Information: Manufacturer’s emergency telephone, address, and email as listed on the product package.
Classification: Flammable liquid, Harmful if swallowed, Causes skin and eye irritation, May cause respiratory irritation
GHS Label: Flame, Exclamation mark symbols
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor, Harmful if swallowed, Causes irritation to skin and eyes, May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; Use personal protective equipment; Do not breathe vapor, mist, or spray; Wash thoroughly after handling; Store in a well-ventilated area; Avoid release to the environment.
Chemical Identity: N-Methylimidazole
Concentration: Typically >99% pure
Impurities: Trace amounts of imidazole or higher-methyl imidazoles may be present from manufacturing
Component Identification Numbers: EINECS: 210-484-7, UN Number: 2810
Hazardous Ingredients: Product as supplied is considered hazardous according to classification.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present and easy, get medical help right after rinsing.
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek help if irritation continues.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air quickly, support breathing as needed, consult physician if symptoms like headache, dizziness, or breathing difficulties happen.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, give water to drink only if victim is conscious, get medical attention fast.
Most Important Symptoms: Severe irritation, burns, redness, shortness of breath, nausea.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol foam, dry chemical, CO2, water fog on large fires.
Unsuitable Media: Do not use straight water stream as chemical can spread fire.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, possibly toxic fumes.
Specific Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixture with air, container can rupture in heat.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing designed to resist chemical exposure.
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, remove any sources of ignition, evacuate unnecessary personnel, use protective gear such as goggles, gloves, and face shield.
Environmental Precautions: Do not let material or runoff enter drains, surface waters, or soil.
Methods for Containment: Stop leak if safe, contain with sand or inert absorbent, avoid contact with strong acids or alkalis during cleanup.
Cleanup Methods: Scoop absorbed material into sealed containers for proper disposal, wash area with large amounts of water only after solid cleanup.
Safe Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation, ground all transfer equipment, wear protective clothing and eyewear to avoid skin and eye contact, avoid breathing vapor or spray mist, don’t eat, drink, or smoke in handling areas.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed container in cool, dry, well-ventilated spot, away from heat, sparks, and open flame, segregate from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers and acids, use explosion-proof storage and electrical fixtures near large stocks.
Storage Class: Flammable liquid storage, observe local requirements for hazardous chemical storage.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established exposure limits in United States, but minimize exposure as much as possible.
Engineering Controls: Work with material in fume hood or use effective exhaust ventilation to keep airborne levels low.
Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shield worn at all times during handling.
Skin Protection: Resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), laboratory coat or chemical apron, closed shoes.
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirator if ventilation not adequate or if concentrations are high, follow local guidelines and risk assessment.
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after using, change contaminated clothing quickly.
Appearance: Colorless to yellowish liquid
Odor: Weak amine-like or fishy smell
pH: Not available in pure form, mildly basic in aqueous solution
Melting Point: -60°C
Boiling Point: 198–199°C
Flash Point: 85°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohols, common organic solvents
Specific Gravity: About 1.03 (water = 1)
Viscosity: Not highly viscous, flows readily at room temperature
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 0.24
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Near 440°C
Evaporation Rate: Slower compared to ether or acetone.
Stability: Stable under normal temperature and storage conditions, handle with appropriate care to avoid contact with oxidizers.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids, halogens, oxidizing agents; may corrode some metals; reacts violently if mixed with acid chlorides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, toxic fumes if fire or high temperatures present.
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize, no hazardous polymerization risk in regular use.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eyes.
Acute Effects: Eye and skin irritation, possible burns on prolonged contact, harmful by ingestion, can cause dizziness and nausea from inhalation.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated contact can lead to sensitization or dermatitis, limited data for carcinogenicity.
Toxicity Data: LD50 (oral, rat): 820 mg/kg; causes distress at high exposure, risk of serious injury is real in poorly ventilated or unprotected settings.
Other Health Effects: May damage liver and kidneys at heavy and repeated exposures, avoid overexposure at all times.
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life even in small quantities, fish and invertebrate toxicity can be high when concentrations exceed a few mg/L in water.
Persistence and Degradability: Not highly persistent, slowly degrades in environment under light and air but risks remain with improper disposal.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, does not build up significantly in tissues, but runoff can cause harm if concentration rises.
Mobility in Soil: High, can seep into groundwater or waterways if spilled.
Other Remarks: Spills need prompt and thorough response because the adverse environmental footprint lingers.
Waste Handling: Collect and store waste in labelled, sealed containers designed for chemical disposal, check for hazardous waste status locally.
Disposal Method: Incinerate in chemical incinerator with afterburner and scrubber; do not pour down drain or release to surface water.
Contaminated Packaging: Treat rinsed containers as hazardous waste, follow official rules for chemical packaging disposal.
Special Instructions: Consult local authority or professional service for large-scale disposal, abide by national and regional hazardous waste laws.
UN Number: 2810 (Toxic liquid, organic, n.o.s.)
Proper Shipping Name: N-Methylimidazole solution or as described by regulatory body
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic, Flammable Liquid
Transport Precautions: Keep container upright, tightly closed, away from incompatible goods, and locked up if possible, drivers and handlers should know emergency response steps.
Classification and Labeling: Classified as hazardous by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, GHS, and EU CLP Regulation.
Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA, EINECS, DSL, and other international inventories.
Restrictions: Use and transport may require permits or reporting under community safety rules or chemical safety programs.
Safety Rules: Local workplace safety boards, environmental protection agencies, and fire departments treat the product as hazardous so strict compliance is checked.
Other Legal Requirements: Always check country or region-specific requirements before use or shipment, keep written or digital records of all safety training and risk assessments involving this chemical.
