2-Naphthylamine

2-Naphthylamine

2-Naphthylamine

Chemical compound

2-Naphthylamine is one of two isomeric aminonaphthalenes, compounds with the formula C10H7NH2. It is a colorless solid, but samples take on a reddish color in air because of oxidation. It was formerly used to make azo dyes, but it is a known carcinogen and has largely been replaced by less toxic compounds.[2]

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Preparation

2-Naphthylamine is prepared by heating 2-naphthol with ammonium zinc chloride to 200-210 °C, the Bucherer reaction. Its acetyl derivative can be obtained by heating 2-naphthol with ammonium acetate to 270-280 °C.

Reactions

It gives no color with iron(III) chloride. When reduced by sodium in boiling amyl alcohol solution, it forms tetrahydro-3-naphthylamine, which exhibits the properties of the aliphatic amines in that it is strongly alkaline in reaction, has an ammoniacal odor and cannot be diazotized.

On oxidation, it yields ortho-carboxy-hydrocinnamic acid, HO2CC6H4CH2CH2CO2H.

Numerous sulfonic acid derivatives of 2-naphthylamine are used in commerce, such as precursors to dyes.[2] Owing to the carcinogenicity of the amine, these derivatives are mainly prepared by amination of the corresponding naphthols. Of them, the δ-acid and Bronner's acid are of more value technically, since they combine with ortho-tetrazoditolyl to produce fine red dye-stuffs.

2-Naphthylamine was previously used as a dye precursor and rubber antioxidant in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Dupont stopped using it in the 1970s.[3]

Role in disease

2-Naphthylamine is found in cigarette smoke and suspected to contribute to the development of bladder cancer.[4]

It is activated in the liver but quickly deactivated by conjugation to glucuronic acid. In the bladder, glucuronidase re-activates it by deconjugation, which leads to the development of bladder cancer.

See also

References

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    Gerald Booth "Naphthalene Derivatives" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a17_009.
  3. [3]
    Castleman, Barry (1979), Dupont's Record In Business Ethics: Another View, Washington Post, July 15th 1979
  4. [4]
    CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
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