2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate

Endpoint summary

Additional information

The material ß-methoxy-iso-propyl cyanoacrylate (hereafter referred to as MPCA) was examined for mutagenic activity in four histidine-dependent auxotrophs of Salmonella typhimurium, strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537, using pour-plate assays. The studies, which were conducted in the absence and presence of an activaing system derived from rat liver (S-9 mix), employed a range of levels of MPCA from 50 to 5000 µg per plate, selected following a preliminary toxicity test in strain TA 98. All tests included solvent (acetone) controls with and without S-9 mix. No increases in reversion to prototrophy were obtained with any of the four bacterial strains at the MPCA levels tested, either in the presence or absence of S-9 mix.

Marked increases in the number of revertant colonies were induced by the known mutagens benzo[a]pyrene, 2 -nitrofluorene, 2 -aminoanthracene, 9 -aminoacridine and sodium azide when examined under similar conditions. Based on these results it is concluded that MPCA is devoid of mutagenic activity under the conditions of the test.

The structural similarity between MPCA and 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylates is significant with MPCA having a methyl group in vicinity of the methoxy group which is not found in 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. This additional methyl group is considered to be chemically inert and is not expected to contribute to any mutagenic acitivity. In both molecules the centers of reactivity are rather attributed to the cyanoacrylate part. It is therefore feasible to assume that the results of the Ames test of MPCA do also represent the mutagenic activity of 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, i.e. no mutagenic acitvity under the conditions described in the test.

Short description of key information:
The compoud ß-methoxy-iso-propyl cyanoacrylate (MPCA) was examined for mutagenic activity in an Ames test employing the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537. The studies were conducted in absence and presence of S-9 mix with negative results. MPCA shows significant structural similarity to 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate with only a methyl group being linked to the ethyl bridge. This structural difference is not expected to influence the substance's mutagenic properties, and it is therefore concluded that 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is devoid of mutagenic activity as well.

Endpoint Conclusion: No adverse effect observed (negative)

Justification for classification or non-classification

Based on the results for the structurally similar compound MPCA, 2-methoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is considered non-genotoxic and does not require classification.