Basic information
- Standard SMILES
CC(=O)Nc1ccccc1- InChIKey
FZERHIULMFGESH-UHFFFAOYSA-N- Molecular formula
- C8H9NO
- Average molar mass
- 135.16 g/mol
- Monoisotopic mass
- 135.06841391
Overview
Acetanilide is a white to gray solid. (NTP, 1992)
Names & identifiers
- Preferred name
- Acetanilide
- IUPAC
- N-phenylacetamide
- English name
- Acetanilide
- Molecular formula
- C8H9NO
- Molecular weight
- 135.16
Names & synonyms
Show more names
Database identifiers
- CAS
103-84-4、55576-55-1- PubChem CID
- 904
- DTXSID
DTXSID2022543- ChEMBL
CHEMBL269644- ChEBI
CHEBI:28884- UNII
- SP86R356CC
- EC Number
- 203-150-7、695-031-5
- Nikkaji
- J4.023A
Properties
Computed structural properties
- XLogP
- 1.2
- Topological polar surface area
- 29.1 Ų
- Hydrogen bond donors
- 1
- Hydrogen bond acceptors
- 1
- Rotatable bonds
- 1
- Heavy atoms
- 10
- Formal charge
- 0
- Complexity
- 116
Experimental & physicochemical properties
LogP
Log Kow= 1.16
1.16
1.14
Density
1.219 at 59 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
1.2190 @ 15 °C
1.21 @ 20°C
Color/Form
ORTHORHOMBIC PLATES OR SCALES FROM WATER
WHITE SHINING CRYSTALLINE SCALES
White, shining crystalline leaflets or white crystalline powder.
Colorless, glossy, crystalline material.
Solubility
less than 1 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
1 G SOL IN 185 ML WATER, 3.4 ML ALC, 20 ML BOILING WATER, 3 ML METHANOL, 4 ML ACETONE, 0.6 ML BOILING ALCOHOL, IN 3.7 ML CHLOROFORM, 5 ML GLYCEROL, 8 ML DIOXANE, 47 ML BENZENE, 18 ML ETHER; VERY SPARINGLY SOL IN PETROLEUM ETHER; CHLORAL HYDRATE INCREASES SOLUBILITY IN WATER
SOL IN TOLUENE; VERY SOL IN HOT TOLUENE, IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
Water solubility= 6.93X10+3 mg/l at 25 °C
Slightly soluble in water; very soluble in ethanol and acetone; soluble in ethyl ether.
6.39 mg/mL at 25 °C
Flash Point
345 °F (NTP, 1992)
169 °C
337 °F; 169 °C (OPEN CUP)
Physicochemical properties
- Melting point
- 113 · 113-115 °C(lit.)
- Boiling point
- 304 °C · 304 °C(lit.)
- Density
- 1 · 1,121 g/cm3
- bulk density
- 370 kg/m3 · 370kg/m3
- vapor density
- 4.65 · 4.65 (vs air)
- vapor pressure
- 1 mm · 1 mm Hg ( 114 °C)
- refractive index
- 1.57 · 1.5700 (estimate)
- Flash point
- 173 °C · 173 °C
- storage temp.
- 30 °C · Store below +30°C.
- solubility
- Slightly soluble in water; very soluble in ethanol and acetone; soluble in ethyl ether.
- form
- Powder
- pka
- 0.5 · 0.5(at 25℃)
- color
- Off-white to beige to grayish-blue
- PH
- 5 · 5-7 (10g/l, H2O, 25℃)
- Water Solubility
- 5 g/L · 5 g/L (25 ºC)
- Merck
- 14 · 14,50
- BRN
- 606468 · 606468
- Henry's Law Constant
- 4.7 · 4.7×102 mol/(m3Pa) at 25℃, Yaws (2003)
- Dielectric constant
- 2.9 · 2.9(22.0℃)
- Stability
- Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, caustics, alkalies.
- Cosmetics Ingredients Functions
- FRAGRANCEPERFUMING
- InChI
- 1S/C8H9NO/c1-7(10)9-8-5-3-2-4-6-8/h2-6H,1H3,(H,9,10)
- InChIKey
- FZERHIULMFGESH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- SMILES
- CC(=O)Nc1ccccc1
- LogP
- 1.16 · 1.160
- CAS DataBase Reference
- 103 · 103-84-4(CAS DataBase Reference)
- EWG's Food Scores
- 1 · 1
- FDA UNII
- 86 R356CC · SP86R356CC
- NIST Chemistry Reference
- Acetamide, N-phenyl-(103-84-4)
- EPA Substance Registry System
- Acetanilide (103-84-4)
- UNSPSC Code
- 41116107 · 41116107
- NACRES
- 24 · NA.24
- Symbol(GHS)
- 7 · GHS07,GHS08
- Signal word
- Danger
- Hazard statements
- 302 · H302-H315-H319-H361-H370-H372-H336-H402
- Precautionary statements
- 501 · P501-P273-P260-P270-P202-P201-P271-P264-P280-P302+P352-P337+P313-P305+P351+P338-P308+P311-P362+P364-P332+P313-P301+P312+P330-P304+P340+P312-P403+P233-P405
- PPE
- 95 · dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves
- Hazard Codes
- Xn
- Risk Statements
- 22 · 22-36/37/38
- Safety Statements
- 22 · 22-26-36
- WGK Germany
- 1 · 1
- RTECS
- 7350000 · AD7350000
- Autoignition Temperature
- 540 °C · 540 °C
- TSCA
- TSCA listed
- HS Code
- 29242995 · 29242995
- Storage Class
- 11 · 11 - Combustible Solids
- Hazard Classifications
- 4 Oral · Acute Tox. 4 Oral
- Hazardous Substances Data
- 103 · 103-84-4(Hazardous Substances Data)
- Toxicity
- 50 intragastric · LD50 intragastric in rats: 800 mg/kg (Smith, Hambourger)
Safety & regulation
GHS classification
GHS Classification
This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.1% (2 of 1686) of reports.
Warning
H302 (99.9%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
P264, P270, P301+P317, P330, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)
Aggregated GHS information provided per 1686 reports by companies from 15 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.
Warning
Hazard information
Regulatory Information
Chemical: Acetamide, N-phenyl-
Acetanilide: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard
Hazards Summary
Heavy or repeated exposure may produce methemoglobinemia, CNS depression, circulatory collapse, and contact dermatitis in humans; Causes methemoglobinemia in high-dose animal studies; Mutagenic in micronucleus assay with mice; Emergency treatment: Phenacetin; Phenacetin was used as a pain-relieving drug, but has not been available in the US since 1983. Can cause methemoglobinemia after ingestion >1 gram/day; Phenacetin can cause renal papillary necrosis following ingestion of large doses for years; [HSDB] An irritant; May cause contact dermatitis, eczematous skin eruptions, anemia, and cyanosis; [CAMEO] An allergen; May cause eczematous dermatitis, methemoglobinemia, and cyanosis; [EPA OHM/TADS] Causes acute tubular necrosis and methemoglobinemia in oral toxic-dose exposures in humans; [RTECS] An irritant; May cause serious eye injury; Harmful if swallowed; [Aldrich MSDS]
Reactivity Profile
ACETANILIDE is an amide. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
NFPA Hazard Classification
3 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause serious or permanent injury.
1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.
0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
Hazard Classes and Categories
Acute Tox. 4 (99.9%)
Acute toxicity (Oral) - Category 4
Safety & protection
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
Nonfire Spill Response
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
Disposal Methods
SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
Incineration: Incineration at 1000 °C followed by treatment of the off-gas has been recommended. Landfill burial has also been suggested. But, in light of the generation of more toxic, persistent products, this mode of disposal does not seem desirable.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC)
2.4 [mg/m3]
26 [mg/m3]
160 [mg/m3]
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)
Toxicology
Interactions
THIRTY-MOLAR EXCESS OF ACETANILIDE REDUCED CARCINOGENICITY OF N-2-FLUORENYLACETAMIDE ON LIVER & SEVERAL OTHER TARGET ORGANS IN SEVERAL SPECIES.
/ACETANILID/ WILL...POTENTIATE ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF OPIATES.
ENHANCING EFFECT OF METAPYRONE UPON THE P-HYDROXYLATION OF ACETANILIDE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.
ACUTE EFFECT OF ORAL ADMIN OF BENZENE ON LIVER MICROSOMAL DRUG ENZYMES AND LIPID PEROXIDATION WAS INVESTIGATED IN RATS. INCR IN HYDROXYLATION OF ACETANILIDE WAS OBSERVED.
For more Interactions (Complete) data for ACETANILIDE (11 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Environmental Fate
TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), a measured Koc value of 27(2,SRC), indicates that acetanilide will have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of acetanilide from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be important(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 6.2X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). The potential for volatilization of acetanilide from dry soil surfaces may not exist(SRC) based on the extrapolated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-3 mm Hg(4,SRC). Limited data suggest that acetanilide may undergo microbial degradation in soil.
AQUATIC FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), a measured Koc value of 27(2,SRC),indicates that acetanilide is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Acetanilide is not expected to volatilize from water surfaces(1,SRC) based on an estimated Henry's Law constant of 6.2X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(3). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF value of 4.5(1,SRC), from an experimental log Kow(4,SRC), suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Acetanilide should biodegrade rapidly in aquatic systems. Hydrolysis of acetanilide is not expected to be an environmentally important removal process in aquatic systems(SRC).
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), acetanilide, which has an extrapolated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2,SRC), will exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase acetanilide is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be about 1.3 days(3,SRC).
Soil Adsorption/Mobility
The Koc of acetanilide is estimated as approximately 38(SRC), using an experimental log Kow of 1.16(1,SRC) and a regression-derived equation(2,SRC). A Koc of 27 was experimentally determined for acetanilide, using silt loam and sandy loam, with % organic matter ranging from 1.09-5.92 (Kom was converted to Koc by multiplying by 1.724), and pH ranging from 5.9-7.5(4). According to a recommended classification scheme(3), the estimated and measured Koc values suggest that acetanilide has very high mobility in soil(SRC).
Human Toxicity Excerpts
IT IS WELL KNOWN TO PRODUCE CYANOSIS IN SOME HUMANS WHEN TAKEN REPEATEDLY, POSSIBLY DUE TO FORMATION OF SULFHEMOGLOBIN. LARGE DOSES IN ACUTE POISONING PRODUCE METHEMOGLOBIN...
.../"COAL TAR ANALGETICS" INCL ACETANILID/ ARE DEPRESSANTS OF CNS. SYMPTOMS OF NAUSEA & VOMITING, VERTIGO & RINGING IN EARS...OCCUR WITH LARGE DOSES OR IN... SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH THERAPEUTIC DOSES. SWEATING MAY BE PROFUSE. LARGE DOSES LEAD TO MENTAL CONFUSION, MUSCULAR INCOORDINATION & COMA.
CIRCULATORY COLLAPSE, WITH COLD EXTREMITIES, PALENESS...FEEBLE RAPID PULSE & DYSPNEA, & COMA, WITH FIXED, SEMI-DILATED PUPILS, IS CHARACTERISTIC FINDING IN ACUTE ACETANILID POISONING.
IT MAY...CAUSE CONTACT DERMATITIS & INHALATION OR INGESTION MAY CAUSE AN ECZEMATOUS ERUPTION OF THE SKIN.
For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for ACETANILIDE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Artificial Pollution Sources
Acetanilide's production and use as an intermediate in drug and dye manufacture(1), a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide(1) and cellulose esters(2), a plasticizer(2), and a rubber accelerator(3) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Acetanilide has been found to be a thermal decomposition product of epoxy powder paint(4).
Environmental Biodegradation
Several tests indicate that acetanilide biodegrades rapidly under aerobic conditions(1-3). One screening test, based on COD measurements, using an activated sludge seed and an initial chemical concentration of 200 ppm, reported a 94% COD removal after 5 days(1). A screening test using an acclimated riverwater seed, based on BOD measurements, reported an 80% BODT after 8 days(2). A grab sample test from the Nile River, using an initial chemical concentration of 6-7 ppm, reported 100% degradation after 43 days incubation(3).
Environmental Bioconcentration
An estimated BCF value of 4.5 was calculated for acetanilide(SRC), using an experimental log Kow of 1.16(1,SRC) and a recommended regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF value suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).
Volatilization from Water/Soil
The Henry's Law constant for acetanilide is estimated as 6.2X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This value indicates that acetanilide will be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2,SRC). Acetanilide's Henry's Law constant(1,SRC) indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may not occur(SRC). The potential for volatilization of acetanilide from dry soil surfaces may not exist(SRC) based on the extrapolated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-3 mm Hg(3,SRC).
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts
ACUTE TOXICITY...IS VERY LOW--RATS & MONKEYS TOLERATING DOSES OF 200-400 MG/KG ORALLY PER DAY FOR MANY WEEKS. WITH VERY LARGE DOSES...METHEMOGLOBIN & SOME HYPERPLASIA OF BONE MARROW CAN BE PRODUCED.
IN MOUSE, RAT, GUINEA PIG, AND RABBIT LIVER MICROSOMES GLUTATHIONE DEPLETION WAS NOT OBSERVED WITH ACETANILIDE.
At a single dose of 200 mg/kg by gavage, acetanilide oxidized hemoglobin to methemoglobin in dogs. /From table/
If a value of 100 is assigned to the sensitivity of the cat /with respect to methemoglobin formation/, then the sensitivities of other species are as follows for acetanilide: man, 56; dog, 29; rat, 5; rabbit, 0; and monkey, 0.
For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for ACETANILIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Environmental Abiotic Degradation
The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of acetanilide with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 1.2X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1,SRC). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 1.3 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1,SRC). The rate constant for the aqueous-phase reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been determined to be 5.2X10+9 L/mol-sec at pH 9(2). This corresponds to as aqueous half-life of approximately 154 days at an aqueous hydroxyl radical concentration of 1.0X10-17 mol/l(2). Acetanilide is not expected to undergo hydrolysis or direct photolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups to hydrolyze or absorb UV light.
Safety data
- PPE
- dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves
- wgk
- 1
- tsca
- TSCA listed
- rtecs
- AD7350000
- hs_code
- 29242995
- Toxicity
- LD50 intragastric in rats: 800 mg/kg (Smith, Hambourger)
- risk_code
- 22-36/37/38
- Signal word
- Danger
- Symbol(GHS)
- GHS07,GHS08
- hazard_code
- Xn
- safety_code
- 22-26-36
- Storage Class
- 11 - Combustible Solids
- Hazard statements
- H302-H315-H319-H361-H370-H372-H336-H402
- Hazard Classifications
- Acute Tox. 4 Oral
- Autoignition Temperature
- 540 °C
- Precautionary statements
- P501-P273-P260-P270-P202-P201-P271-P264-P280-P302+P352-P337+P313-P305+P351+P338-P308+P311-P362+P364-P332+P313-P301+P312+P330-P304+P340+P312-P403+P233-P405
- Hazardous Substances Data
- 103-84-4(Hazardous Substances Data)
Chemistry & industry
Pharmacology
Metabolism/Metabolites
.../RESEARCHERS/ FOUND THAT STARVATION DECREASED RATE OF METABOLISM OF...ACETANILIDE. ...STARVATION REDUCED OXIDATIVE PATHWAYS OF MALE RATS...
STRAIN DIFFERENCES /WITHIN THE SAME SPECIES/ WERE...NOTED IN ACETANILIDE...METABOLISM.
HEPATIC MICROSOMES FROM RABBITS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE SHOW IMPAIRED METABOLISM OF ACETANILIDE...
2 NEW URINARY METABOLITES OF ACETANILIDE IN RATS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS N-ACETYL-S-(5-ACETAMIDO-2-HYDROXYPHENYL)CYSTEINE & N-ACETYL-S-(3-ACETAMIDOPHENYL)CYSTEINE MAY HAVE BEEN FORMED VIA AN INTERMEDIATE EPOXIDE.
For more Metabolism/Metabolites (Complete) data for ACETANILIDE (20 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Acetanilide has known human metabolites that include N-Hydroxy-N-phenylacetamide and acetaminophen.
Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
IT IS READILY EXCRETED IN THE URINE AS SULFATE OR GLUCURONATE CONJUGATE OF THE PHENOL /N-ACETYL-P-AMINOPHENOL/.
36% OF ACETANILIDE DISSOLVED IN 0.1 N HCL (PKA 0.3) WAS ABSORBED FROM RAT STOMACH IN ONE HOUR. /FROM TABLE/
...GREATER THAN 99.9% OF ACETANILIDE REMAINS UN-IONIZED @ BODY PH, FACILITATING ABSORPTION FROM BLOOD TO CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. THE BLOOD-CEREBROSPINAL FLUID PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT IS 0.039/MIN. /FROM TABLE/
.../ACETANILID IS/ READILY ABSORBED FROM GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for ACETANILIDE (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Uses & manufacturing
Uses
Used in the manufacture of camphor, penicillin, sulfa drugs, and dyes; Also used as a stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide, an additive to cellulose ester varnishes, a rubber accelerator, an antiseptic, a plasticizer, and a veterinary analgesic and antipyretic agent; [HSDB]
Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides) [Category: Paint]
MFR OF MEDICINALS, DYES; STABILIZER FOR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE; AS ADDN TO CELLULOSE ESTER VARNISHES
RUBBER ACCELERATOR
MFR OF INTERMEDIATES; IN SYNTHETIC CAMPHOR; PRECURSOR IN PENICILLIN MFR
Intermediate for sulfa drugs; hydrogen peroxide stabilizer; azo dye manufacture
Methods of Manufacturing
USUALLY PREPARED FROM ANILINE & ACETIC ACIDS: AI VOGEL, PRACTICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, (LONDON, 3RD ED 1959), PAGE 577. FROM ANILINE & ACETYL CHLORIDE: GATTERMANN-WIELAND, PRAXIS DES ORGANISCHEN CHEMIKERS, (BERLIN, 40TH ED, 1961) PAGE 114.
FROM ANILINE, ACETONE & KETENE: HURD, ORG SYN, COLL VOL I, (NEW YORK, 2ND ED, 1941) PAGE 332.
Heating aniline with acetic anhydride.
Use Classification
Fragrance Ingredients
Pharmaceuticals -> Animal Drugs -> Approved in Taiwan
Cosmetics -> Stabilizing
General Manufacturing Information
Acetamide, N-phenyl-: ACTIVE
INCOMPATIBILITIES: ...FERRIC SALTS (RED COLOR OR PRECIPITATE).
INCOMPATIBILITIES: ETHYL NITRATE, AMYL NITRITE, ACID SOLN OF NITRILES, ALKALIES (ANILINE LIBERATED), ALKALI BROMIDE & IODIDES IN AQ SOLN (INSOL COMPD FORMED); CHLORAL HYDRATE, PHENOL, RESORCINOL, THYMOL (THESE PRODUCE LIQ OR SOFT MASS ON TRITURATION)...
ACETANILID IS PARENT MEMBER OF /SO-CALLED COAL TAR ANALGESICS, PHENACETIN & ITS...METABOLITE ACETAMINOPHEN/... IT WAS INTRODUCED INTO MEDICINE IN 1886 UNDER NAME OF ANTIFEBRIN.../AFTER DISCOVERY OF/ ITS ANTIPYRETIC ACTION. ... PROVED TO BE EXCESSIVELY TOXIC, &...REPORTS OF POISONING...PROMPTED SEARCH FOR LESS TOXIC COMPD.
Applications
HistoryThe department of internal medicine at the University of Strassburg in the 1880s was noted for its investigations into intestinal worms. Adolf Kussmaul, the director, asked two young assistants, Arnold Cahn and Paul Hepp, to treat patients with naphthalene as it had been used elsewhere as an internal antiseptic. The young doctors were disappointed with the initial results, but Hepp persevered with the naphthalene treatment in a patient suffering from a variety of complaints besides worms. Surprisingly, the fever chart revealed a pronounced antipyretic effect from this treatment. This had not been observed before, but further investigation revealed that Hepp had wrongly been supplied by Kopp’s Pharmacy in Strassburg with acetanilide instead of naphthalene! Cahn and Hepp lost no time in publishing a report on their discovery of a new antipyretic. For many years after its discovery in 1886, Acetanilide was used as an alternative to aspirin (i.e. acetyl salicylate) - an analgesic (painkiller) and antipyretic (fever reducing) drug to relieve e.g. headache, menstrual pain, and rheumatic pain. Under the name “Acetanilide” it formerly appeared in the formula of a number of patent medicines and over the counter drugs. In 1948, Julius Axelrod and Bernard Brodie discovered that Acetanilide is much more toxic in these applications than other drugs, causing methemoglobinemia and ultimately causing damage to the liver and kidneys. Thus, Acetanilide has largely been replaced by less toxic drugs, in particular acetaminophen (i.e. paracetamol), which is a metabolite of Acetanilide and whose use Axelrod and Brodie suggested in the same study.
UsesAcetanilide is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of rubber accelerator, dyes and camphor. It is also used in the synthesis of penicillin and other pharmaceutical products. It is involved in the preparation of 4-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl chloride, which is an intermediate during the synthesis of sulfa drugs. Further, it is employed as a experimental photographic developer. In addition to this, it is used to stabilize cellulose ester varnishes.
General DescriptionAcetanilide is a white to gray solid. (NTP, 1992)
Preparation methods
PreparationAcetanilide is prepared from aniline by acetylating it with acetic anhydride in presence of glacial acetic acid. Aniline reacts with acetic anhydride to form Acetanilide by nucleophilic substitution reaction and the reaction is called acetylation.In a 100 ml round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condensor place 5ml of aniline and 10 ml of 1:1 acetic acid and acetic anhydride mixture (5ml acetic acid and 5 ml acetic anhydride). Heat the mixture gently under reflux for 15-20 minutes on oil bath and then pour the contents while still hot with stirring into a 200ml beaker containing 100ml ice cold water. Stir the mixture vigorously to hydrolyse the excess acetic anhydride. After all the acetanilide has precipitated, collct it on buchner funnel and wash with cold water. Recrystallise the crude product from boiling water. If the product is excessively coloured add a pinch of animal charcoal to hot water and filter hot through glass wool/ cotton plug. Pure colourless crystals of acetanilide melts at 114°C (5-5.5g).
Upstream & downstream products
Upstream raw materials
Downstream products
Suppliers50 total
Additional notes
DefinitionChEBI: Acetanilide is a member of the class of acetamides that is acetamide in which one of the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen is substituted by a phenyl group. It has a role as an analgesic. It is a member of acetamides and an anilide. It is functionally related to an acetic acid.
Related reactions
Linked notes
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