diazomethane; azimethylene

Introduction

CH2N2.

Epidemiology

• occupational exposure
  • laboratory workers, methylating agent
• yellow gas with a musty odor
• shipped as a liquid under pressure

Pathology

• acute toxicity
  • respiratory irritant
  • violent coughing, dyspnea, wheezing
  • pulmonary edema, chemical peumonitis
• chronic exposure: no data
• not classified diazomethane with respect to potential carcinogenicity

Laboratory

• diazomethane in air

More general terms

• alkylating agent
• toxin (hazardous material, poison)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=9550