Methylcholanthrene

3-Methylcholanthrene
Other names 20–Methylcholanthrene
Identifiers
Abbreviations	3-MC 20-MC
CAS number	56-49-5 Y
PubChem	299006
ChemSpider	264105 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL40583 N
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES c32cc1cccc5c1c(c2ccc4ccccc34)C(C)C5
InChI InChI=1S/C21H16/c1-13-11-15-6-4-7-16-12-19-17-8-3-2-5-14(17)9-10-18(19)20(13)21(15)16/h2-10,12-13H,11H2,1H3 Y Key: JVGJWHQKHATXLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C21H16/c1-13-11-15-6-4-7-16-12-19-17-8-3-2-5-14(17)9-10-18(19)20(13)21(15)16/h2-10,12-13H,11H2,1H3 Key: JVGJWHQKHATXLD-UHFFFAOYAC
Properties
Molecular formula	C21H16
Molar mass	268.35 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow solid
Melting point	180 °C, 453 K, 356 °F
N (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Methylcholanthrene (MCA) is a highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon produced by burning organic compounds at very high temperatures^{[clarification needed]}. It is a yellow solid with a melting point around 180 °C. Methylcholanthrene is used in laboratory studies of chemical carcinogenesis. It is an alkylated derivative of benz[a]anthracene and has a similar UV spectrum. The most common isomer is 3-methylcholanthrene, although the methyl group can occur in other places.

3-Methylcholanthrene, a known carcinogen which builds up in the prostate due to cholesterol breakdown, is implicated in prostate cancer.^{[citation needed]} It "readily produces" primary sarcomas in mice.^[1]

References

1. ^ Donald C. Malins, Katie M. Anderson, Naomi K. Gilman, Virginia M. Green, Edward A. Barker and Karl Erik Hellström (2004). "Development of a Cancer DNA Phenotype Prior to Tumor Formation". PNAS 101 (29): 10721–10725. doi:10.1073/pnas.0403888101. JSTOR 3372726. PMC 490001. PMID 15249662. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=490001. 

External links

• National Pollutant Inventory - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Fact Sheet