Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
Acomethylene; Azimethylene; Diazirine; Diazomethane; Diazonium methylide; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Other Nitrogen Compounds
Description
Yellow gas with a musty odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Diazomethane is used as a methylating agent for acidic compounds. An explosive, it is not manufactured for distribution. [ACGIH] "Because of its toxicity and its explosive nature, diazomethane is freshly prepared in situ and used in solution of ether or dioxane." [ICSC]
Comments
Toxicity in experimental animals resembles that of phosgene. [ACGIH] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; May cause asthma after repeated or prolonged exposures; [ICSC]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
The only available acute inhalation toxicity data concerning diazomethane is the statement by Patty [1963] that a 10minute exposure to 175 ppm was lethal for cats [Flury and Zernik 1931]. This concentration is obviously too high for an IDLH. ACGIH [1971] reported that the toxicity of diazomethane seems comparable to that of phosgene. Therefore, the chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with phosgene, which has an IDLH of 2 ppm.
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (cats) = 175 ppm/10M
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
ACGIH Carcinogen
Suspected Human
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: