Aziridine

Aziridine is an organic compound consisting of the three-membered heterocycle (CH2)2NH.[5][6] It is a colorless, toxic, volatile liquid that is of significant practical interest.[7] Its derivatives, also referred to as aziridines, are of broader interest in medicinal chemistry.

Aziridine
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Aziridine
Systematic IUPAC name
Azacyclopropane
Other names
Azirane
Ethylene imine
Aminoethylene
Dimethyleneimine
Dimethylenimine
Ethylimine
Identifiers
CAS Number
3D model (JSmol)
Beilstein Reference
102380
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.005.268
EC Number
  • 205-793-9
Gmelin Reference
616
KEGG
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • KX5075000
UNII
UN number 1185
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Properties
Chemical formula
C2H5N
Molar mass 43.069 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless oily liquid[1]
Odor ammonia-like[2]
Density 0.8321 g/mL 20 °C[3]
Melting point −77.9 °C (−108.2 °F; 195.2 K)
Boiling point 56 °C (133 °F; 329 K)
Solubility in water
miscible
Vapor pressure 160 mmHg (20° C)[2]
Hazards
Main hazards highly flammable and toxic
GHS pictograms
GHS Signal word Danger
GHS hazard statements
H225, H300, H310, H314, H318, H330, H340, H350, H411
GHS precautionary statements
P201, P202, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P281, P284, P301+310, P301+330+331, P302+350, P303+361+353, P304+340, P305+351+338, P308+313, P310
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
3
4
3
Flash point −11 °C (12 °F; 262 K)
Autoignition
temperature
322 °C (612 °F; 595 K)
Explosive limits 3.6–46%
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LC50 (median concentration)
250 ppm (rat, 1 hr)
250 ppm (guinea pig, 1 hr)
62 ppm (rat, 4 hr)
223 ppm (mouse, 2 hr)
56 ppm (rat, 2 hr)
2236 ppm (mouse, 10 min)[4]
LCLo (lowest published)
25 ppm (guinea pig, 8 hr)
56 ppm (rabbit, 2 hr)[4]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
OSHA-Regulated Carcinogen[2]
REL (Recommended)
Ca[2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
Ca [100 ppm][2]
Related compounds
Related heterocycles
Borirane
Ethylene oxide
Thiirane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Structure

The bond angles in aziridine are approximately 60°, considerably less than the normal hydrocarbon bond angle of 109.5°, which results in angle strain as in the comparable cyclopropane and ethylene oxide molecules. A banana bond model explains bonding in such compounds. Aziridine is less basic than acyclic aliphatic amines, with a pKa of 7.9 for the conjugate acid, due to increased s character of the nitrogen free electron pair. Angle strain in aziridine also increases the barrier to nitrogen inversion. This barrier height permits the isolation of separate invertomers, for example the cis and trans invertomers of N-chloro-2-methylaziridine.

Synthesis and uses

Linear PEI fragment, derived from aziridine.
Typical branched PEI fragment, derived from aziridine.

Aziridine is produced industrially from aminoethanol via two related routes. The Nippon Shokubai process requires an oxide catalyst and high temperatures to effect the dehydration. In the Wenker synthesis, the aminoethanol is converted to the sulfate ester, which undergoes base-induced sulfate elimination. Older methods entailed amination of 1,2-dichloroethane and cyclization of 2-chloroethylamine.[7]

Aziridine forms a wide variety of polymeric derivatives, known as polyethylenimines. These and related species are useful crosslinking agents and precursors for coatings.[7]

Safety

Aziridine is highly toxic with an LD50 of 14 mg (oral, rats). It is a skin irritant. As an alkylating agent, it also a mutagen.[7] It is subject to attack and ring-opening by endogenous nucleophiles such as nitrogenous bases in DNA base pairs, resulting in potential mutagenicity.[8][9][10]

See also

  • Binary ethylenimine, a dimeric form of aziridine

References

  1. "Aziridine" (PDF). Re-evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 71. 1999.
  2. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0274". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. Weast, Robert C.; et al. (1978). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (59th ed.). West Palm Beach, FL: CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0549-7.
  4. "Ethyleneimine". Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  5. Gilchrist, T.L. Heterocyclic chemistry. ISBN 978-0-582-01421-3.
  6. Epoxides and aziridines – A mini review Albert Padwa, S. Shaun Murphree Arkivoc (JC-1522R) pp. 6–33 Online article
  7. Steuerle, Ulrich; Feuerhake, Robert (2006). "Aziridines". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a03_239.pub2.
  8. Kanerva L, Keskinen H, Autio P, Estlander T, Tuppurainen M, Jolanki R (May 1995). "Occupational respiratory and skin sensitization caused by polyfunctional aziridine hardener". Clin Exp Allergy. 25 (5): 432–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1995.tb01074.x. PMID 7553246.
  9. Sartorelli P, Pistolesi P, Cioni F, Napoli R, Sisinni AG, Bellussi L, Passali GC, Cherubini Di Simplicio E, Flori L (2003). "Skin and respiratory allergic disease caused by polyfunctional aziridine". Med Lav. 94 (3): 285–95. PMID 12918320.
  10. Mapp CE (2001). "Agents, old and new, causing occupational asthma". Occup. Environ. Med. 58 (5): 354–60. doi:10.1136/oem.58.5.354. PMC 1740131. PMID 11303086.