2,2-Dibromo-3-Nitrilo-Propionamide (DBNPA)

Certainly, here is a comprehensive overview of 2,2-Dibromo-3-Nitrilo-Propionamide (DBNPA), a fast-acting, broad-spectrum industrial biocide.

Product Summary

DBNPA is a highly effective industrial biocide used to control microbial growth (bacteria, fungi, and algae) in various water-based systems. Its primary advantage is its rapid "quick-kill" action combined with a relatively short environmental half-life, as it degrades quickly under certain conditions.

Key Specifications

The table below summarizes the typical physical and chemical properties of DBNPA in its solid form.

Property Value / Description

CAS Number 10222-01-2

Molecular Formula C₃H₂Br₂N₂O

Molecular Weight ~241.87 g/mol

Appearance White crystalline powder

Purity (Solid Form) ≥ 99.0% - 99.5%

Melting Point 122.0 - 127.0 °C

pH (1% solution) 4.0 - 7.0

Water Solubility Slightly soluble in water; soluble in organic solvents like polyethylene glycol and ethanol

Shelf Life (Solid) Typically 2 years in a cool, dry place

Note on Solution Forms: DBNPA is also commonly supplied as a liquid solution (e.g., 20% aqueous solution). This form is transparent to light yellow, has a pH of 4.0-7.0, a density of 1.18-1.24 g/cm³, and a shorter shelf life of around 6 months.

Main Applications

Due to its broad-spectrum efficacy, DBNPA is used across a wide range of industrial sectors:

Water Treatment: It is widely used as a slimicide and biocide in industrial recirculating cooling water systems, paper mill pulp and water systems, and large air conditioning systems to control slime-forming bacteria and algae.

Oil & Gas: Applied in oilfield water injection systems for microbial control and as a biocide in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Industrial Fluids & Materials: Used to preserve metalworking fluids (soluble oil emulsions), coatings, adhesives, latex, starch slurries, and wood by preventing bacterial and fungal degradation.

Emerging Application: Recent studies indicate it is a promising alternative to antibiotics in the corn-to-ethanol fermentation process. It effectively controls bacterial contamination without harming the yeast used in production and degrades before the final animal feed (DDGS) is produced, helping to address concerns about antibiotic resistance in the food chain.

Mechanism of Action

DBNPA functions as a "quick-kill" biocide. It rapidly penetrates the cell membrane of microorganisms and disrupts their normal oxidation-reduction processes by interacting with specific protein groups and enzymes, leading to cell death.

Safety & Handling

While effective, DBNPA must be handled with care:

Stability: It is most stable in acidic conditions (low pH) but degrades more rapidly in alkaline conditions and in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.

Toxicity: It is classified as low to moderately toxic. Acute toxicity data shows a 48-hour LC₅₀ for Daphnia at 2.3 mg/L and a 96-hour LC₅₀ for bluegill at 10.1 mg/L. Environmental quality standards recommend a limit of 20 µg/L for the sum of DBNPA and its toxic degradation product, DBAN, in freshwater.

Sensitization: Cases of allergic contact reactions (such as erythema multiforme) have been reported in industrial workers following accidental exposure to liquid formulations of DBNPA. Therefore, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including chemical goggles, impervious suits, and gloves, is essential when handling this product.