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Herbicides

Cantharidin

Also known as Cantharone, Cantharidine, Cantharides camphor

CAS 56-25-7Formula C10H12O4Molar mass 196.20 g/molEC 200-263-3
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Harmful or irritant 60 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Cantharidin chemical structure, C10H12O4, CAS 56-25-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Orthorhombic plates, scales
Melting point
218 °C
Boiling point
84 °C
Solubility
Insol in cold water, somewhat sol in hot water, 1 g dissolves in 40 ml acetone, 65 ml ch…
HS code
293220
Category
Herbicides
UN number
UN 2811
Illustrative photo, 25 kg white woven sacks of powder on a pallet in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Cantharidin?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Cantharidin is a monoterpenoid with an epoxy-bridged cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride structure secreted by many species of blister beetle, and most notably by the Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria. Natural toxin inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. It has a role as a herbicide and an EC 3.1.3.16 (phosphoprotein phosphatase) inhibitor. It is a monoterpenoid and a cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(1S,2R,6S,7R)-2,6-dimethyl-4,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane-3,5-dione
CAS number
56-25-7 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
200-263-3
Molecular formula
C10H12O4
UNII
IGL471WQ8P
MDL number
MFCD00134968
InChIKey
DHZBEENLJMYSHQ-XCVPVQRUSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H12O4/c1-9-5-3-4-6(13-5)10(9,2)8(12)14-7(9)11/h5-6H,3-4H2,1-2H3/t5-,6+,9+,10-
Canonical SMILES
CC12C(=O)OC(=O)C1(C)C1CCC2O1
Isomeric SMILES
C[C@@]12[C@H]3CC[C@@H]([C@@]1(C(=O)OC2=O)C)O3

Synonyms

  • Cantharone
  • Cantharidine
  • Cantharides camphor
  • Kantaridin
  • Kantharidin
  • Cantaridina
  • Cantharidinum
  • 1,2-Dimethyl-3,6-epoxyperhydrophthalic anhydride
  • exo-1,2-cis-Dimethyl-3,6-epoxyhexahydrophthalic anhydride
  • (3ar,4s,7r,7as)-3a,7a-dimethylhexahydro-4,7-epoxy-2-benzofuran-1,3-dione
  • Ycanth
  • 2,3-Dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo(2.2.1)heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride
  • 7-Oxabicyclo(2.2.1)heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride, 2,3-dimethyl-
  • Hexahydro-3aalpha,7aalpha-dimethyl-4beta,7beta-epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione
  • (1S,2R,6S,7R)-2,6-dimethyl-4,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane-3,5-dione
  • (1S,2R,6S,7R)-2,6-dimethyl-4,10-dioxatricyclo(5.2.1.02,6)decane-3,5-dione
  • Cantharidin 0.7%
  • 4,7-Epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione, hexahydro-3a,7a-dimethyl-, (3aalpha,4beta,7beta,7aalpha)-
  • 4,7-Epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione, hexahydro-3a,7a-dimethyl-, (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-rel-
  • CAN [Alkaloid]
  • 3a,7a-Dimethylhexahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione
  • Ycanth (TN)
  • Cantharidin (JAN/USAN)
  • (1R,2S,3R,6S)-1,2-Dimethyl-3,6-epoxycyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride
  • 2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride
Show all 27 synonyms
  • 7a-Dimethylhexahydro-3a,4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran
  • 4,7-Epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione, hexahydro-3a,7a-dimethyl-, (3a-alpha,4-beta,7-beta,7a-alpha)

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Orthorhombic plates, scalesexp.
Melting point
218 °Cexp.
Boiling point
84 °Cexp.
Solubility
Insol in cold water, somewhat sol in hot water, 1 g dissolves in 40 ml acetone, 65 ml chloroform, 1 g dissolves in 560 ml ether, 150 ml ethyl acetate, sol in oils.exp.
Vapour pressure
0.02 [mm Hg] @25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
196.20 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
196.0736 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.64calc.
Topological polar surface area
52.6 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
4calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
14calc.
Rings
3calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.8calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
4calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=C1OC(=O)C2C3CCC(O3)C12

O=C1OC(=O)C2C3CCC(O3)C12

3 rings, 12 atoms, the 4,7-Epoxyisobenzofuran-1,3-dione, hexahydro- ring system.

24 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H300Fatal if swallowed.
  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements (19)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 2811

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Cantharidin suppliers

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All 60 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

60 suppliers in 11 countries

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Cantharidin price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

For Cantharidine (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 013101) there are 0 labels match.

Veterinary medication:.

Pharmacological actions

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Irritants

Roles

  • anti-inflammatory agent
  • antirheumatic drug
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • herbicide
  • pesticide
  • pharmaceutical

How it is made

Cantharidin, the active ingredient in the crude drug cantharides, is obtained from the dried insects Cantharis vesicatoria. ... it is synthesized through a long series of reactions, starting with butadiene and dimethyl maleic anhydride.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Cantharidine, Ref no: 70, Annex ref: II/70
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Cantharidin is traded under.

HS 2932.20Indicative HS code

Lactones

World exports in 2024
$1.97B
−4.7% vs 2023, imports $2.07B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China56.3%
  2. India * partner reported7.4%
  3. Germany7.3%
Top importers
  1. United States14.2%
  2. India * partner reported13.5%
  3. Brazil8.5%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Cantharidin is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Cantharidin, based on the data on this page

What is Cantharidin?

Cantharidin is a monoterpenoid with an epoxy-bridged cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride structure secreted by many species of blister beetle, and most notably by the Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria. Natural toxin inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A.

What is the CAS number of Cantharidin?

The CAS registry number of Cantharidin is 56-25-7.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Cantharidin?

The molecular formula of Cantharidin is C10H12O4 and its molar mass is 196.20 g/mol.

What is Cantharidin used for?

For Cantharidine (USEPA/OPP PC Code: 013101) there are 0 labels match. Veterinary medication:.

Is Cantharidin hazardous?

Cantharidin carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: fatal if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Cantharidin?

Cantharidin is usually classified under HS code 293220 (Lactones). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Cantharidin?

CompoundList lists 60 suppliers of Cantharidin in United States, China, Germany, Spain and 7 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

What is the price of Cantharidin?

Suppliers quote Cantharidin on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Cantharidin

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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