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Product Name: N-Methylformamide
Chemical Formula: C2H5NO
Common Synonyms: NMF, Methylformamide
CAS Number: 123-39-7
Appearance: Clear, colorless to faint yellow liquid
Odor: Slight amine smell
N-Methylformamide shows up across labs and in chemical manufacturing, mostly as a solvent or reagent. Anyone storing, moving, or using it should know its traits: looks unremarkable, but demands careful handling.
GHS Label Elements: Warning, Toxic, Irritant
Main Health Risks: Toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion
Affected Organs: Liver, kidneys, blood
Acute Symptoms: Nausea, headache, drowsiness, abdominal pain
Chronic Exposure Risks: Possible organ damage, reproductive effects
The real trouble with N-Methylformamide comes from how easily the body absorbs it—it sneaks through the skin, not just the lungs. For those working with it, that increases the chance of health damage even without spills or big accidents.
Chemical Identity: N-Methylformamide
Purity: Usually above 98%
Impurities: Trace formic acid, water
No buffering compounds or stabilizers need adding, so anyone working with it gets the pure stuff and should act accordingly.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, consult a physician
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, get medical attention immediately
Unlike less harmful chemicals, N-Methylformamide won’t give room for second guesses—early action matters, especially for skin and eye exposures.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam
Fire Hazards: Vapor can ignite in air, harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide may form
Protective Equipment: Full structural firefighting gear, positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Fire risks track closely with lab solvents, but the breakdown products fit in the “definitely avoid” category, so maximizing ventilation and prepping escape routes helps the most.
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent chemical from entering waterways or soil
Containment: Absorb with sand or inert absorbent, shovel up for disposal
Cleanup: Ventilate area, avoid breathing vapor
Even a small spill can soak through gloves or skin on contact and make its way to drains. Organizations that drill on quick, cautious cleanup do best when accidents catch them off guard.
Safe Handling: Work in fume hoods or well-ventilated rooms, avoid direct contact
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry place away from heat and incompatible materials
Container Requirements: Use tightly sealed containers of materials not reactive with amides
Long-term exposure to air or light shouldn’t happen—chemical stability drops once the cap comes off, making smart storage a worthwhile investment.
Permissible Exposure Limits (US OSHA): TWA 10 ppm
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, closed systems when possible
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, lab coats, respirators if airborne concentration could rise
Reliable ventilation cuts down vapor lots more than improvised setups. Good gloves—nitrile, not latex—slow the chemical’s path into the bloodstream.
Molecular Weight: 59.07 g/mol
Boiling Point: About 199°C
Melting Point: -3°C
Solubility: Fully soluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Low under normal conditions
N-Methylformamide looks and acts enough like other polar solvents to blend into lab routines, but its high boiling point and rapid skin permeation set it apart from old standbys like acetone.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, direct sunlight, oxidizers
Incompatible Substances: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers, acyl chlorides
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides on heating
Letting N-Methylformamide mix with strong chemicals or heat shortens its shelf life and raises fire/explosion risks, so regular checks on stock and storage spaces pay off.
Acute Toxicity (oral LD50, rat): 3,000 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, ingestion
Symptoms: Drowsiness, headaches, kidney/liver trouble, nausea
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as human carcinogen by IARC or OSHA
Long-term studies point to reproductive risks. Taking every step to cut down exposure isn’t just regulation—it’s common sense.
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, especially with long-term exposure
Persistence and Degradability: Generally biodegradable
Bioaccumulation: Low potential
Whoever washes residues down sinks or lets spills linger underestimates downstream effects. Even low-odor, clear chemicals impact more than just the workbench.
Waste Treatment: Incinerate or treat as hazardous waste following accepted chemical disposal practices
Contaminated Packaging: Clean before recycling or discard as hazardous waste
Legal disposal routes matter in protecting workers, neighborhoods, and the water supply from leftovers after experiments finish up.
DOT Classification: Regulated, hazardous for transport
Packaging Instructions: Drums or bottles with secure seals, labeled for toxicity
Special Precautions: Segregate from incompatible cargo, avoid rough handling
People moving hazardous chemicals work smoother with a clear understanding of labels and packaging so that emergencies don’t snowball on highways or in shipping rooms.
Workplace Exposure Limits: US OSHA, ACGIH, and EU set exposure thresholds
Label Requirements: Include hazard statements and pictograms by GHS and local law
At every point where N-Methylformamide pops up—from global trade to a college lab—clear rules and visible guidance help sidestep accidents, lawsuits, and health scares.
