- Chemical Synthesis:Serves as a building block or intermediate for pharmaceuticals, amino resins (for textiles), pesticides, and cosmetics.
- Polymer Chemistry: Used in creating polyurethane materials, including components for artificial hearts/blood sacs.
- Biomedical Research:
- Anesthetic: Historically used in humans (hypnotic) and animals; still used in specialized animal studies (e.g., neuroscience) for its stable, long-duration effects.
- Carcinogen Studies: Used in oncology to induce tumors in animals to study cancer mechanisms.
- Bacterial Inhibition: Can suppress growth of bacteria, protozoa, and plant tissues in research settings.
Historical & Other Uses:
- Textiles: Formerly used in “wash-and-wear” fabrics as a crosslinking agent.
- Food & Beverage: Unintentionally forms during fermentation, leading to its presence (and health scrutiny) in items like wine, spirits, and soy sauce.
Key Applications
- Chemical Synthesis: Serves as a building block for other chemicals, including certain pharmaceuticals and amino resins used in textiles (wash-and-wear fabrics).
- Biochemical Research: Used as an anesthetic for laboratory animals due to its long duration and minimal cardiovascular/respiratory impact, though its carcinogenicity limits human use.
- Analytical Standard: Used as a reference material for detecting its presence in food and beverages, as it forms naturally in fermented products.
- Polymer Science: Can be incorporated into poly(urethane urea) for medical devices like artificial hearts.
Historical & Safety Context:
- Medical History: Once used as a sleeping pill (hypnotic) and anesthetic for animals in the 1940s.
- Health Concerns: Known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and mutagenic (causing genetic defects) in animals, leading to restricted use.
FAQs Ethyl Carbamate (51-79-6) should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight.
