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Data bank of environmental chemicals     |     The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
 


28.3.2024

Data bank of environmental properties of chemicals


Chemical
3-Methylindole
CAS-number :
83-34-1
 
Synonyms :
1H-Indole, 3-methyl-
beta-methylindole
 
Sumformula of the chemical :
C9H9N
EINECS-number :
2014717
 
Melting point, °C :
95  Richardson et al. 1994
 
Boiling point, °C :
265  265-266°C, Richardson et al. 1994
266 
 
Log octanol/water coefficient, log Pow :
2.6  Richardson et al. 1994
 
Other physicochemical properties :
Soluble in hot water. 
Organic solvent: ethanol, chloroform, 
diethyl ether and benzene (Richardson et al. 1994).
 
Other information of degradation :
Nitrification inhibition: at 7 mg/l 75% inhibition of ammonia 
oxidation (activated sludge) (Rickhardson et al. 1994).
 
Metabolism in mammals :
It requires activation by cytochrome P450 to be cytotoxic in 
rabbit pulmonary cells (Richardson et al. 1994).
 
LD50 values to mammals in oral exposure, mg/kg :
3450  orl-rat, RTECS 1996
  --
3450  orl-rat, Richardson et al. 1994
 
LD50 values to mammals in non-oral exposure , mg/kg :
175  ipr-mus, RTECS 1996
  --
175  ipr-mus, Richardson et al. 1994
 
LDLo values to mammals in oral exposure, mg/kg :
470  orl-mus
200  orl-cattle, Richardson et al. 1994
 
LDLo values to mammals in non-oral exposure , mg/kg :
60  ivn-cattle, Richardson et al. 1994
 
Effects on physiology of mammals :
Intraperitoneal (28 day) mice 400 mg/kg, cellular swelling was
apparent in the olfactory epithelium by 6 hr. 
Necrosis of the
olfactory epithelium and subepithelial glands were diffuse by
48 hr. 
Subsequent ulceration resulted in epithelial
hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, fibroplasia and ossification
(Turk et al. 1987).

Infusion (72 hr) goats 35 mg/kg body weight, prostaglandin
concentrations in lungs were unaffected. 
Plasma and lung
prostaglandin and thromboxane B2 concentrations did not appear
to be altered in 3-methylindole-induced lung disease (Acton et
al. 1989).

A dose of 550 mg/kg specifically damaged pulmonary tissue in
Swiss-Webster mice witout causing any hepatic or renal
necrosis. 
When a glutathione depleter was administered to mice
3 hr before low dose of 3-methylindene (75 mg/kg),
histopatological examination after 4 hr showed renal damage.

The production of a toxic metabolite in the livers of
gluthahione -depleted mice that is circulated to susceptible
renal cells may be the mechanism of this toxicity (Yost et al.
1990).

The electrophilic imine methide may be the intermediate which
binds with and depletes glutathione. 
An imine methide is the
primery reactive intermediate in 3-methylindole mediated
pneumotoxicity (Huijzer et al. 1987).
 
Mutagenicity :
Salmonella typhimurium TA100 without metabolic activation, 
strong mutagenic activity (Richardson et al. 1994).
 
LC50 values to fishes, mg/l :
8.84  96 hr, Pimephales promelas, Geiger et al. 1990
 
EC50 values to fishes, mg/l :
5.45  <5.45 mg/kg, 96 hr, mbt, Pimephales promelas,
  Geiger et al. 1990

References
3309Acton, K. S. et al. 1989. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., A : Comp. Physiol. 94A(4), 677 - 681.
3297Geiger, D. L. et al. 1990. Acute toxicities of organic chemicals to fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) Vol 5. Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, University of Winsconsin-Superior, Superior, Winconsin, U.S.A. 332.
3311Huijzer, J. C. et al. 1987. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 90(1), 60 - 68.
3298Richardson, M. L. et al. 1992 - 1994. The dictionary of substances and their effects. Vol 1 - 7. The Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, The Science Park, Cambridge, CB4 4WF.
3115RTECS Database 1992 -. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, USA. TOMES Plus CD-ROM.
3308Turk, M. A. M. et al. 1987. Vet. Pathol. 24(5), 400 - 403.
3310Yost, G. S. et al. 1990. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 103(1), 40 - 51.

 
 
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