Methyl coumarin

Synonyms

2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one, 6-methyl-; 5-Methyl-2-hydroxyphenylpropenoic acid lactone; 6-MC; 6-Methyl-1,2-benzopyrone; 6-Methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one; 6-Methyl-cis-O-coumarinic lactone; 6-Methylbenzopyrone; 6-Methylcoumarin; 6-Methylcoumarinic anhydride; Cocodescol; Coumarin, 6-methyl-; Pralina; Toncair; Toncarine; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Plant Toxins

Description

White solid; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used in perfumes and flavors; Coumarin banned in US since 1954 as a flavor in food; It may contaminate vanilla imported from Mexico and Caribbean countries; [HSDB]

Comments

Emergency treatment: "Coumarin"; After an ingestion of 4 grams of coumarin, a patient developed muscle paralysis but no cardiovascular effects; Causes liver toxicity in rats, but humans are relatively resistant; Not active as an anti-coagulant; [HSDB] Causes seizures at lethal doses in mice; [RTECS] Caused photoallergic contact dermatitis when it was used as a fragrance in sunscreens; When patch tested, the antigen should be applied to the skin for no longer than 30 minutes before UVA exposure because it rapidly becomes inactive. [Marks, p. 224] Safe to use as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Harmful by ingestion; A photosensitizer; [Aldrich MSDS]

Biomedical References

Other CNS neurotoxin

PACD (photoallergic contact dermatitis)

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, photoallergic