Bucket chemistry: How NOT to perform a reaction.

In a nearly lab someone made a larger amount of N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) what is the direct precusor to diazomethane. The synthesis is quite easy, only some sodium nitrite should be added to an acidic N-methylurea solution at a low temperature to avoid the decomposition of the product. After everything is added, it should be filtered and washed with water to obtain pure product. Important note: NMU should be stored wet and should be never dried, since its pretty explosive in dry form.

The problem with this is: “N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) is a highly reliable carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen. NMU is an alkylating agent, and exhibits its toxicity by transferring its methyl group to nucleobases in nucleic acids, which can lead to AT:GC transition mutations.” So you can get cancer from this stuff quite easily. Extra info: in the bucket there is 600g of this compound.

9:30 pm • 7 September 2015 • 100 notes • View comments