N-Nitroso-N-methylurea

• N- nitroso-N- methylurea
• Nitrosomethylurea

Colorless to yellowish needles

Fixed

1.58 g · cm -3

123 ° C ( decomposition)

14.4 g · l - 1 in water

110 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, mouse, oral)

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N- methyl -N -nitrosourea is an unstable N- nitroso derivative of urea, which belongs to the group of nitrosoureas.

Representation and extraction

The representation of the compound is selected from urea, methyl amine, and sodium nitrite. First in a substitution reaction of N-methyl urea is produced. The target compound is obtained by a subsequent acid nitrosation.

Properties

N- methyl -N -nitrosourea is a crystalline solid, which is prone to spontaneous explosive decomposition. This can occur even with the storage of the compound at room temperature. The decomposition is carried out as a self-accelerating reaction. Contact with alkali hydroxides, dichloromethane or friction with metal spatulas can also trigger the decomposition. As decomposition products of methyl isocyanate, nitrogen and water were found. On a slow decomposition occurs N, N, N- Trimethylcyanursäure.

Use

The compound can be used for the production of diazomethane. Because of the instability of the compound and other initial compounds such as N -methyl -N-nitroso -p-toluenesulfonamide preferred today however.