2-Aminofluorene
2-Aminofluorene (2-AF) is a man-made chemical used mainly in laboratory research. It has three connected ring structures and a primary amine group. It appears as a white to tan solid and melts at about 125–132°C, with a molecular weight of around 181 g/mol.
What it does in the body and why it matters:
2-AF can be transformed by the body’s enzymes into reactive forms that attach to DNA, causing mutations. It can also slide between DNA strands and disrupt genetic information. This DNA damage is linked to cancer in animals and to mutations in human cells and in bacteria studied in labs.
Why researchers study it:
Scientists use 2-AF as a model chemical to understand how similar compounds become mutagenic and cancer-causing through metabolism and DNA interaction. A related chemical, 2-AAF, is also known to be carcinogenic.
Safety notes:
Because 2-AF is toxic and mutagenic, it must be handled with care in properly equipped laboratories using appropriate protective measures.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:35 (CET).