Methyl carbamate (also called methylurethane, or urethylane) is an organic compound and the simplest ester of carbamic acid (H2NCO2H). It is a colourless solid.
Methyl carbamate is prepared by the reaction of methanol and urea: CO(NH2)2 + CH3OH → CH3OC(O)NH2 + NH3 It also forms in the reaction of ammonia with methyl chloroformate or dimethyl carbonate.
Safety and occurrence Unlike its close relative ethyl carbamate it is not mutagenic in Salmonella (it tested negative in the Ames test), but it is mutagenic in Drosophila. Experimental evidence does show that it is a carcinogen in rats, and not carcinogenic in mice. The compound is "known to the state of California to cause cancer" per Proposition 65.OEHHA
Production, use, and exposure The compound was detected in wines preserved with dimethyl dicarbonate.Inchem.org
Methyl carbamate is used primarily in the textile and polymer industries as a reactive intermediate. In the textile industry, it is used in the manufacture of dimethylol methyl carbamate-based resins that are applied on polyester cotton blend fabrics as durable-press finishes. The treated fabrics have good crease-angle retention, resist acid souring in commercial laundries, do not retain chlorine, and have flame-retardant properties. Methyl carbamate also is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, insecticides, and urethane.National Toxicology Program
N-Methyl carbamates are widely used as insecticides.National Pesticide Information Center at Oregon State University They have anticholinesterase activity without a cumulative effect.
See also Carbamate Ethyl carbamate (urethane)
References
External links MSDS 1987 NIH study of methyl carbamate's carcinogenicity (PDF file)