methylazoxymethanol Property

Boiling point:

167.26°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.3348 (rough estimate)

refractive index 

1.4462 (estimate)

EPA Substance Registry System

Methylazoxymethanol (590-96-5)

Safety

RIDADR 

2810

HazardClass 

6.1(b)

PackingGroup 

III

Hazardous Substances Data

590-96-5(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

A naturally occurring alkylating agent that is produced by the cycad. It was found originally as the active agent formed from cycasin (methylazoxymethanol- β-D-glucoside). Ingestion of this plant by animals or humans has been associated with hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenesis. MAM is an alkylating agent that is probably metabolized to diazomethane, that subsequently forms active methyl groups that methylate nucleotide bases and impair DNA and RNA synthesis. Administration of MAM during fetal life causes a microcephaly that is associated with extensive necrosis in the area normally occupied by differentiating cells and seems to result from the disruption of cell replication. Administration restricted to postnatal life has selective effects on areas that mature postnatally. Marked cerebellar lesions characterize the neuropathology observed following postnatal administration to experimental animals, with measurable but less dramatic effects on the hippocampus and olfactory bulb, two regions that undergo a significant part of their development postnatally. Behaviorally, the animals show fairly specific neurological signs related to disruption of motor function. Anatomical findings are characterized by decreased cerebellar mass, diminished numbers of cells that can be attributed to a deficit in the number of granule cells. In contrast, postnatal MAM effects on developing spinal cord are characterized by fairly specific decreases in indices of glia and myelin formation, again consistent with the mainly prenatal differentiation of this region, that is therefore spared.

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

methylazoxymethanol Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Definition

ChEBI: Methylazoxymethanol is an azoxy compound.