This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Shrampes (talk | contribs) at 01:47, 29 November 2008 (usage of methyl carbamates in textile industry). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 01:47, 29 November 2008 by Shrampes (talk | contribs) (usage of methyl carbamates in textile industry)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Methyl carbamate (also called methylurethane, or urethylane) is an organic compound and the simplest ester of the hypothetical carbamic acid (NH2COOH). Its sum formula is C2H5NO2.
Methyl carbamate is formed by the reaction of ammonia with methyl chloroformate or methyl carbonate. According to US patent number 2834799 urea can be reacted with methanol to form it using boron trifluoride as a reagent. Unlike its close relative ethyl carbamate it is not mutagenic in salmonella (it tested negative in the Ames test), but it is mutagenic in Drosophila. Experimental evidence does show that it is a carcinogen in rat, and not carcinogenic in mice. The compound is "known to the state of California to cause cancer" per Proposition 65.
The compound was detected in wines preserved with dimethyl dicarbonate.
Methyl carbamate is used by the textile industry to manufacture resins to be applied on polyester/cotton blend fabrics as durable-press finishes.
N-Methyl carbamates are widely used as insecticides.
See also
References
- P. Foureman, J.M. Mason, R. Valencia and S. Zimmering, Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 1994, 23 (1), 51 - 63.
- OEHHA
- Inchem.org
- National Toxocology Program
- National Pesticide Information Center at Oregon State University