1-Methylpyrrole belongs to the family of organic compounds called alkyl-substituted pyrroles. Chemists know it by its formula C5H7N. It often shows up as a colorless to light yellow liquid, though sometimes the color deepens a bit if it sits exposed to air due to minor oxidation. People who’ve worked with small nitrogen-containing molecules will find a familiar earthy, amine-like odor with this one. If you look for it in schedules and chemical trade data, you’ll find it under HS Code 2933.99—a neat reference point if you’re crossing customs or ordering from overseas.
In practical lab terms, 1-Methylpyrrole is not thick or sticky. Density sits around 0.97 g/cm3. It’s definitely a liquid at room temperature, so don’t expect flakes, powder, or pearls like you would in some other chemical stocks. Its melting point hits below zero, about –60°C, and the boiling point stands just above 100°C. The clear molecular structure features a five-membered ring with four carbons and a nitrogen, plus a methyl group at position 1, which changes its behavior compared to plain pyrrole. The methyl group reduces its hydrogen bonding character compared to the parent compound, making it less likely to solidify in a dry bottle.
Anyone handling 1-Methylpyrrole regularly should know it’s more hazardous than it looks. Getting some on your fingers stings after a bit, and inhaling vapors gives off a sharp sensation in the nose and throat. It doesn’t come close to acutely poisonous chemicals, but it brings enough harm if you ignore ventilation or touch it with bare skin for long stretches. The liquid evaporates quickly at room temperature, which means spills don’t hang around, but the vapors like to spread into small corners of a poorly ventilated workspace. Fumes can irritate the lungs, and even if it’s not toxic by every metric, you shouldn’t treat it carelessly. I learned to never underestimate even a “low risk” compound, because small accidents cause big headaches if you get complacent. Standard chemical gloves and a decent fume hood make the process much easier; you don’t want to trade short cuts for sore throats and dry hands.
This compound offers value as a key raw material for synthesizing specialty chemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Organic chemists have relied on its structure to produce extended conjugated systems—think advanced dyes or materials with unusual electronic properties. The presence of both nitrogen and a methyl group means those making heterocyclic compounds or tweaking electronic properties like to start here. You don’t see it in bulk storage tanks the way you see industrial solvents, but specialty labs, research centers, and pharmaceutical companies keep it in steady supply. If you spend time in bench chemistry, you’ll know someone has always got a bottle close by.
With formula C5H7N, 1-Methylpyrrole’s composition points toward typical aromatic stability but also a slightly higher reactivity than benzene analogs. The methyl group tailors its reactivity in simple addition and substitution reactions—a trick often used by organic chemists to steer the direction of synthesis. The extra electron density attached by the methyl group changes how the molecule takes part in ring-opening, cyclization, or hydrogenation. Those tuning molecular weight or working to synthesize something with just the right physical property, like low volatility in operating environments, often stop here and evaluate what this simple tweak means for their final project.
Compared to many tricky-to-store crystalline heterocycles, labeling this a liquid makes things easier in industrial and lab shelving. You won’t be scooping out flakes, tapping out powders, or dissolving pearls. Storing it means closed bottles, upright on shelves, and away from high-heat sources or open flames, since it lights up easily—flash point just below 30°C. The density close to water means if spills happen, cleaning up works as expected. The non-crystalline appearance puts it in the class of chemicals that don’t settle or separate in long-term storage, as long as air is excluded. This might lead people to misjudge the care needed, but consistent labeling and ventilation have kept most incidents minor from my experience.
Despite not ringing alarm bells like heavy metals or highly toxic aromatics, mishandling still opens users to risk. Fire is a bigger worry than toxicity—vapors ignite with regular spark sources. Safety data sheets spell out the risks pretty clearly: flammable, harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin, irritating to eyes and respiratory tract, and emits toxic fumes when burning. If you’re blending solutions or running reactions with 1-Methylpyrrole, a simple flame test will show danger. The best factories and labs stay ready for spills and fires with sand buckets, extinguishers, and spill kits nearby. Managers always stress the need for chemical splash goggles because splashes are far more common than people expect. Fresh air and closed storage keep the hazard low, but daily routines reinforce that you can’t ignore even medium-risk molecules.
Industries asking for 1-Methylpyrrole usually specify purity around 98–99%, since traces of water or low-boiling impurities throw off yields in sensitive organic reactions. Bottles come labeled by volume or weight—liters, 500 mL glass containers, occasionally sealed under nitrogen. Custom users sometimes ask for certification on absence of halides or heavy metals, since trace contaminants set off sensitive downstream chemistry. In a fast-moving chemical stockroom, safe handling and reliable supplier certification make all the difference for both researchers and production engineers. No one wants a failed synthesis due to a dirty raw material, and replacing compromised batches causes expensive delays.
To keep people safe, regular training on chemical handling pays off. In my experience, posters and walkthroughs featuring real-life accident scenarios help new lab workers remember not just the “how” but the “why” of safe chemical use. Installing sensor alarms for volatile organics above workbenches gives another layer of insurance for bigger operations. On the procurement side, finding suppliers who certify not just composition but trace contaminants often prevents nasty surprises in high-value synthetic work. Once a team builds care into their daily rhythm, chemical hazards never stay in the background long enough to create problems. Installing extra storage for hazardous liquids and more fire-retardant surfaces near chemical workstations helps protect both people and expensive equipment.
