Substance profile
4-Methylimidazole
4-Methylimidazole is crystals.
01 · Identification
What 4-Methylimidazole is
4-Methylimidazole is crystals. Its molecular formula is C4H6N2 and its molecular weight is 82.1 g/mol. It boils at 263 °C, melts at 56 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · Identifiers
4-Methylimidazole identifiers and molecular data
4-Methylimidazole CAS number and EC number
4-Methylimidazole molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
4-Methylimidazole hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
4-Methylimidazole pictograms and signal word
4-Methylimidazole hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 1A or 1B | H350 | GHS08 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
4-Methylimidazole hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H360Fd | May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to 4-Methylimidazole. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for 4-Methylimidazole
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 4-Methylimidazole issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
4-Methylimidazole precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 4 precautionary statements to 4-Methylimidazole. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
4-Methylimidazole name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | 4-метилимидазол |
| Spanish español | 4-Metilimidazol |
| Czech čeština | 4-methylimidazol |
| Danish dansk | 4-methylimidazol |
| German Deutsch | 4-Methylimidazol |
| Estonian eesti | 4-metüülimidasool |
| Greek ελληνικά | 4-μεθυλιμιδαζόλιο |
| English English | 4-methylimidazole |
| French français | 4-méhylimidazole |
| Croatian hrvatski | 4-metilimidazol |
| Italian italiano | 4-metilimidazolo |
| Latvian latviešu | 4-metilimidazols |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | 4-metilimidazolas |
| Hungarian magyar | 4-metilimidazol |
| Maltese Malti | 4-metilimidażol |
| Dutch Nederlands | 4-methylimidazool |
| Polish polski | 4-metyloimidazol |
| Portuguese português | 4-metilimidazole |
| Romanian română | 4-metilimidazol |
| Slovak slovenčina | 4-metylimidazol |
| Slovenian slovenščina | 4-metilimidazol |
| Finnish suomi | 4-metyyli-imidatsoli |
| Swedish svenska | 4-metylimidazol |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
4-Methylimidazole GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for 4-Methylimidazole, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
4-Methylimidazole
- May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Get medical advice/attention.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open 4-Methylimidazole in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
4-Methylimidazole health hazards and exposure limits
4-Methylimidazole hazard summary
No histopathological changes observed in 15-day oral studies of rats and mice; 14-week oral studies produced tremors, ataxia, anemia, hepatocytic vacuolization, and testicular degeneration in rats and anemia, liver cytoplasmic vacuolization, and renal degeneration in mice; Histopathological liver changes also observed in 106-week oral study of rats; [HSDB] Causes neurological effects including hyperexcitability, convulsions, and seizures in livestock and experimental animals; Reproductive organ toxicity and decreased fertility observed in male rats; Evidence of carcinogenicity: none in male rats; equivocal in female rats; clear evidence in male and female mice; [NTP] Irritating or corrosive to skin and irritating to eyes in rabbits; [IUCLID] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; Harmful by ingestion; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See 2-Methylimidazole.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
4-Methylimidazole carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole in male F344/N rats exposed to 625, 1,250, or 2,500 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole in female F344/N rats based on increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole in male and female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-535: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 4-Methylimidazole (CASRN 822-36-6) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies) (2007 )
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
4-Methylimidazole properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
4-Methylimidazole boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 263 °C (505.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 263 °C (505.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC |
4-Methylimidazole melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 56 °C (132.8 °F) | HSDB |
4-Methylimidazole density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.0416 g/cm³ | at 14 °C | HSDB |
4-Methylimidazole solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Very soluble in ethanol | HSDB |
4-Methylimidazole vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.01 mmHg | Haz-Map |
4-Methylimidazole flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 157 °C (314.6 °F) | HSDB |
4-Methylimidazole autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 555 °C (1031 °F) | HSDB |
4-Methylimidazole lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Explosive limits 1.8-10.7 Vol. % | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
4-Methylimidazole fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
4-Methylimidazole fire potential
Not flammable
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
4-Methylimidazole storage and handling
4-Methylimidazole storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
4-Methylimidazole incompatible materials
Materials to avoid: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 4-Methylimidazole in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
4-Methylimidazole — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of 4-Methylimidazole?
The CAS number of 4-Methylimidazole is 822-36-6. Its EC number is 212-497-3.
What is the chemical formula of 4-Methylimidazole?
The molecular formula of 4-Methylimidazole is C4H6N2 and its molecular weight is 82.1 g/mol.
What does a 4-Methylimidazole label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for 4-Methylimidazole carries the pictogram Health hazard and the signal word is Danger.
Is 4-Methylimidazole flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns 4-Methylimidazole no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 157 °C (314.6 °F) (HSDB).
Is 4-Methylimidazole a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies 4-Methylimidazole as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350: may cause cancer. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the boiling point of 4-Methylimidazole?
The boiling point reported for 4-Methylimidazole is 263 °C (505.4 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of 4-Methylimidazole?
The melting point reported for 4-Methylimidazole is 56 °C (132.8 °F) (HSDB).
How should 4-Methylimidazole be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to 4-Methylimidazole
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