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Name: CHIR99021
Chemical family: Pyrimidines
Description: Lab folks know CHIR99021 as a selective inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3. It mostly shows up as an off-white to pale yellow powder. Its structure gets used a lot in stem cell culture and research settings, where keeping things pure and controlled stays key. The CAS number, for those who catalog every chemical, is 252917-06-9. Researchers and techs work with this compound for its role in cell signaling studies, but easy access usually stays limited to labs, not open consumer shelves.
Classification: Usually not considered highly hazardous but lacks detailed long-term safety data in humans. Many suppliers tag it as an irritant.
Main hazards: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation can crop up if precautions slip. Dust or powder in the air might bother someone who works in an area with bad ventilation or poor handling routines. It doesn’t explode easily, won’t poison you instantly, but the unknowns around chronic exposure call for extra caution.
Pictogram or hazard signs: Most labs treat it with the respect they show mild irritants even when not legally required.
Chemical formula: C22H18N8
Active ingredient: CHIR99021, checked at 98% or greater for technical or laboratory use.
Impurities: Quality controls look for trace solvents and synthetic byproducts, but most reputable suppliers offer it with high purity and minimal unidentified extras.
Eye contact: Wash out eyes with running water for several minutes. Take out contact lenses if easy.
Skin contact: Wash off with soap and water as soon as possible.
Inhaled dust: Move to fresh air quickly.
Ingestion: Drink water to rinse, seek medical attention if large amounts swallowed or if symptoms persist.
Medical note: The lack of long-term human research means clinicians often treat symptoms rather than knowing a set antidote or protocol.
Extinguishing media: Use water spray, regular foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Don’t use jet streams that might spread dust.
Specific hazards: Not highly flammable, but in a fire, breakdown products like nitrogen oxides or carbon oxides could show up.
Firefighter advice: Wear self-contained breathing gear and full protective clothing for unventilated spaces or large fires. Fire can push powder into the air, which might irritate lungs or eyes.
Personal precautions: Put on gloves, safety goggles, dust mask, and protective clothing.
Spill cleanup: Sweep or scoop up spilled powder without raising dust—damp wipes help. Clean surface with water and mild soap once main spill is removed. Never flush large spills down the drain.
Environmental considerations: Do not let the chemical enter waterways or public drainage. Most labs collect residues in chemical waste bins and label the contents clearly.
Handling: Keep exposure low by keeping containers tightly capped when not in use. Work in a fume hood or well-ventilated area. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke in areas where CHIR99021 is handled.
Storage: Maintain at 2-8°C away from light. Control humidity and keep far from strong acids, bases, or oxidizers. Store in original packaging if possible, or in well-sealed glass or HDPE containers.
Engineering controls: Use fume hoods and local exhaust to beat airborne powder or vapor accumulation. Work on absorbent pads to control spills and mess.
Personal protective equipment: Gloves (nitrile or latex), goggles, and a lab coat cover most exposures. Some people go further with dust masks if there’s a chance for airborne particles, especially during weighing or transferring.
Hygiene measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Don’t touch face or personal items before cleaning up.
Appearance: Pale yellow to off-white powder
Odor: Not much, if any detectable odor
Melting point: Usually reported near 210–215°C
Solubility: DMSO, methanol, and ethanol commonly dissolve it easily. Poor solubility in water.
Vapor pressure/volatility: Not volatile under normal lab conditions.
Other properties: Stable under recommended storage conditions, which is especially important for research reproducibility.
Chemical stability: Holds up under normal conditions if stored cold and in the dark. Long exposure to light might lead to slow breakdown.
Material to avoid: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, and reducing agents can react with its functional groups.
Hazardous decomposition: Heat, flame, or harsh chemicals may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
Acute exposure: Known to cause short-term irritation to skin, eyes, mucous membranes if handled poorly. Chronic risks remain unclear due to limited animal and almost no long-term human studies.
Routes of exposure: Skin, eyes, lungs, and mouth if lab habits slip.
Carcinogenicity/mutagenicity: No official classification in humans, but as with most research chemicals, avoid direct exposure and practice conservative lab habits.
Sensitization/allergy: Not reported but can’t be completely ruled out as chemical dust sometimes triggers reactions in susceptible people.
Toxicity: Data remains limited. Labs should assume it harms aquatic life if dumped in quantity.
Persistence and degradability: Poor data means playing it safe, never dumping down the sink or soil.
Bioaccumulation: No studies confirm or rule out accumulation in animal tissue or plant life.
Waste treatment: Treat as hazardous laboratory waste. Collect leftovers and contaminated materials in labeled, sealable containers.
Sink or drain: Do not pour down household or public drains. Institutions often use licensed waste handlers for pick-up and destruction.
Other considerations: Follow local or national guidelines for hazardous chemical disposal. Burning or mixed, unsupervised landfill disposal gets no place among responsible scientists.
Shipping: Not listed as a regulated hazardous material for most air, road, or sea carriers at small research scale. Larger quantities might trigger extra rules.
Container: Ship in tightly sealed containers shielded from light and water. Good shipping habits use double-bagged bottles inside padded mailers or rigid boxes.
Labeling: Always label by chemical name, not just code or personal shorthand.
Safety standards: Not controlled as a pharmaceutical, pesticide, or substance of abuse in most areas. Still, lab compliance demands following general chemical safety rules.
Occupational limits: No published workplace exposure limits, but most research institutions use the “reasonable person” standard—avoid direct contact, wear PPE, and keep chemical hygiene top of the agenda.
Other regulatory aspects: Always double-check institution-specific policies, as well as guidelines set by agencies like OSHA or REACH for handling investigational chemicals.
