What Is N-Methylsuccinimide?

N-Methylsuccinimide (systematic name: 1-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione; CAS 1121-07-9) is a five-membered cyclic imide derived from succinic acid in which the imide nitrogen bears a methyl substituent. It has the molecular formula C₅H₇NO₂ and a molecular weight of 113.11 g/mol. At room temperature it appears as a white to off-white crystalline solid with a relatively low melting point. The compound is soluble in common polar organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and dimethyl sulfoxide, and it exhibits moderate water solubility. N-Methylsuccinimide belongs to the broader family of N-substituted succinimides, which are widely encountered as synthetic intermediates, metabolites, and pharmacological reference standards in academic and industrial research settings.

Common Laboratory Applications

N-Methylsuccinimide finds use across several research disciplines:

• Organic synthesis intermediate: The compound serves as a building block for the preparation of more complex N-substituted lactam derivatives, heterocyclic scaffolds, and functionalized imide-containing molecules relevant to medicinal chemistry programs.
• Metabolite and degradation reference standard: N-Methylsuccinimide is a known metabolite or degradation product of certain drugs and agrochemicals that contain a succinimide or maleimide moiety. It is therefore used as an analytical reference standard in pharmacokinetic studies, metabolite identification assays (LC-MS/MS), and stability-testing protocols.
• Biochemical research tool: Researchers investigating nitrogen-containing heterocycles employ N-Methylsuccinimide as a model substrate or inhibitor scaffold to study enzyme–substrate interactions.
• Reagent purity benchmarking: Because of its well-defined structure and commercially available high-purity form, it is used to validate analytical methods such as HPLC and NMR in quality-control laboratories.

Handling, Storage, and Safety Guidelines

Although N-Methylsuccinimide is not classified as an acutely toxic substance under typical laboratory conditions, prudent chemical hygiene practices should always be observed:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate laboratory gloves, safety goggles, and a lab coat when handling the solid or its solutions. Avoid inhalation of dust.
• Storage conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids or bases. Recommended storage temperature is typically room temperature or below, protected from moisture and light.
• Stability: The compound is generally stable under recommended storage conditions. Prolonged exposure to moisture may cause hydrolysis of the imide bond; therefore, desiccated storage is advisable for long-term preservation of purity.
• Disposal: Dispose of waste in accordance with applicable local, national, and institutional regulations for organic chemical waste.
• SDS: Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available on the Aladdin Scientific product page before use.

Purity, Specifications, and Quality Assurance

Aladdin Scientific offers N-Methylsuccinimide (SKU: N159128) as a research-grade reagent. Key specification considerations include:

• Purity: Research-grade N-Methylsuccinimide is typically characterized by high chemical purity (commonly ≥98% by HPLC or GC). Customers requiring exact lot-specific purity data should request a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the specific lot number at the time of purchase.
• Identity confirmation: Identity is routinely confirmed by spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and/or mass spectrometry consistent with the expected molecular structure.
• Packaging: Available in multiple pack sizes to accommodate both small-scale research needs and larger preparative demands. Contact Aladdin Scientific for custom quantities.
• Certificate of Analysis: A lot-specific CoA documenting purity, appearance, and key analytical test results is available upon request or via the product page on the Aladdin Scientific website.

If your application requires a higher specification (e.g., pharmaceutical reference standard grade with full impurity profiling), please contact Aladdin Scientific technical support to discuss available options.

Ordering N-Methylsuccinimide from Aladdin Scientific

N-Methylsuccinimide is available for direct purchase from Aladdin Scientific under SKU N159128. To place an order:

1. Visit the Aladdin Scientific website and search for SKU N159128 or the product name.
2. Select the desired pack size and add to cart.
3. Proceed through the standard checkout process. Institutional purchase orders (POs) are accepted.
4. For bulk quantities, custom packaging, or technical enquiries, contact the Aladdin Scientific sales or technical support team directly.

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