THERMOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF 1-METHYLAMINO-1-METHYLTHIO-2-NITROETHENE SYNTHESIS

The synthesis of 1-methylamino-1-methylthio-2-nitroethene (MMN), an im portant intermediate in the production of the drug 'Ranitidine'. is fo und to be hazardous. While the reaction itself was found to be endothe rmic, the reactants and product are found to thermally decompose. The overall hazard potential of this reaction system is, therfore, of unkn own magnitude. In the present investigation, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy, exothermic onset temperature. h eat of reaction and time available before explosion have been estimate d employing microcalorimetric techniques. Important issues related to the overall safety of the process are discussed.