Nitrofural, also widely known as Nitrofurazone or Nitrofurazone, is a synthetic nitrofuran antibacterial active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It is chemically classified as a nitrofuran derivative containing a semicarbazone functional group and has historically been used primarily in topical antibacterial preparations.
FDA's Substance Registration System identifies Nitrofural as a synonym of Nitrofurazone and confirms the chemical identity associated with CAS 59-87-0. The European Pharmacopoeia recognizes Nitrofural as a pharmaceutical substance.
Nitrofural is a specialized antibacterial pharmaceutical API used in pharmaceutical formulation development, topical antibacterial research, analytical testing and quality-control applications.
Important quality attributes for pharmaceutical-grade Nitrofural include:
The Ph. Eur./BP monograph provides defined numerical requirements for assay, related substances, loss on drying and sulfated ash.
Product Name: Nitrofural
Common Name: Nitrofurazone
Synonyms: Nitrofurazone; Nitrofural; 5-Nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone; NFZ
CAS Number: 59-87-0
Molecular Formula: C6H6N4O4
Molecular Weight: 198.14 g/mol
IUPAC Name: 2-[(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methylidene]hydrazinecarboxamide
Drug Class: Nitrofuran Antibacterial
Therapeutic Class: Topical Antibacterial
Therapeutic Area: Infectious Diseases / Dermatology
Molecule Type: Synthetic Small Molecule
PubChem and FDA GSRS confirm the CAS number, molecular formula and Nitrofural/Nitrofurazone synonym relationship.
Nitrofural belongs to the nitrofuran class of antibacterial compounds. Its nitro group can undergo bacterial reduction, producing reactive intermediates that interfere with bacterial cellular processes.
Its antibacterial activity is associated with:
The precise contribution of individual molecular targets can vary according to bacterial species and experimental conditions.
Nitrofural API is relevant to:
Nitrofural has historically been used as a topical antibacterial agent. The BP/Ph. Eur. material describes its action and use as antibacterial; topical antiprotozoal.
Nitrofural has traditionally been incorporated into topical preparations for localized antibacterial applications.
Its use can include research and formulation development involving:
Actual therapeutic indications and formulation use should follow the regulatory status and approved labeling applicable in the target market.
Pharmacopoeial information describes Nitrofural as a:
Yellow or brownish-yellow crystalline powder.
It is reported to be very slightly soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol (96%).
According to the Ph. Eur./BP-associated monograph, Nitrofural is:
It should not be assigned an arbitrary numerical solubility value in the CMS because solubility depends on the solvent, temperature and experimental conditions.
Nitrofural is a thermally sensitive crystalline pharmaceutical substance. A numerical melting-point value should not be used as a universal API release specification unless it is included in the applicable approved specification.
For CMS purposes, the more appropriate approach is to control identity and purity through validated pharmacopoeial analytical methods.
A controlled Nitrofural API manufacturing process may involve:
The exact commercial synthesis route should be based on the manufacturer's validated manufacturing process and regulatory documentation.
Typical pharmaceutical-grade Nitrofural testing may include:
The pharmacopoeial monograph identifies UV absorption maxima at approximately 260 nm and 375 nm for identification and provides a defined assay procedure based on absorbance at 375 nm.
The Ph. Eur./BP monograph specifies Nitrofural content of:
97.0%–103.0%, calculated on the dried substance.
This is an important verified numerical specification and is preferable to inserting a generic API assay range.
The pharmacopoeial monograph identifies specified impurities including:
The Ph. Eur./BP-related substance requirement gives:
Total related substances: NMT 1.0%
Disregard limit: 0.05%
The historical Indian Pharmacopoeia material similarly describes a maximum of 0.5% for an individual secondary peak and 1.0% for the sum of secondary peaks.
The pharmacopoeial requirement is:
Loss on Drying: NMT 0.5%
The referenced method specifies drying at 105°C.
The pharmacopoeial specification gives:
Sulfated Ash: NMT 0.1%
For the current CMS specification, pH should not automatically be assigned a value unless the applicable API monograph or approved specification defines a pH test.
Therefore:
pH: Not applicable as a universal solid API release criterion.
Elemental impurities should be controlled according to the applicable current pharmacopoeial and regulatory requirements, including ICH Q3D principles where applicable.
A generic heavy-metal value should not replace the current elemental-impurity risk assessment and approved specification.
Nitrofural does not contain a stereogenic center requiring enantiomeric purity control.
Therefore:
Specific Rotation: Not applicable.
Enantiomeric Purity: Not applicable.
Stereochemical Purity: Not applicable.
The structure recorded by PubChem corresponds to the non-chiral Nitrofural molecule.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or crystals |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 1.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |