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Hormones and steroids

Norethindrone

Also known as Norethisterone, Micronor, Norethisteron

CAS 68-22-4Formula C20H26O2Molar mass 298.43 g/molEC 200-681-6
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant, Serious health hazard 87 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Norethindrone chemical structure, C20H26O2, CAS 68-22-4
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White crystalline powder
Melting point
204 °C
Solubility
PRACTICALLY INSOL IN WATER, SOL IN CHLOROFORM, ETHER, DIOXANE, SOL @ 25 °C: 1 IN 12.5 PA…
HS code
293723
Category
Hormones and steroids
Illustrative photo, off-white powder in an open kraft paper sack in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Norethindrone?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Norethisterone is a 17beta-hydroxy steroid that is testosterone in which the hydrogen at position 17 is replaced by an ethynyl group and in which the methyl group attached to position 10 is replaced by hydrogen. It has a role as a synthetic oral contraceptive and a progestin. It is a tertiary alcohol, a 17beta-hydroxy steroid, a 3-oxo-Delta(4) steroid and a terminal acetylenic compound. It derives from a hydride of an estrane.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-17-ethynyl-17-hydroxy-13-methyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
CAS number
68-22-4 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
200-681-6
Molecular formula
C20H26O2
UNII
T18F433X4S
MDL number
MFCD00067596
InChIKey
VIKNJXKGJWUCNN-XGXHKTLJSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C20H26O2/c1-3-20(22)11-9-18-17-6-4-13-12-14(21)5-7-15(13)16(17)8-10-19(18,20)2/h1,12,15-18,22H,4-11H2,2H3/t15-,16+,17+,18-,19-,20-/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
C#CC1(O)CCC2C3CCC4=CC(=O)CCC4C3CCC21C
Isomeric SMILES
C[C@]12CC[C@H]3[C@H]([C@@H]1CC[C@]2(C#C)O)CCC4=CC(=O)CC[C@H]34

Synonyms

  • Norethisterone
  • Micronor
  • Norethisteron
  • Norlutin
  • 19-Norethisterone
  • Anovule
  • Gestest
  • Micronovum
  • Norcolut
  • Norluten
  • Camila
  • Noriday
  • Utovlan
  • Primolut-N
  • Micronett
  • Noralutin
  • Norethynodrone
  • Norgestin
  • Proluteasi
  • Conludaf
  • Conludag
  • Norluton
  • Triella
  • Mini-Pe
  • Norfor
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Norpregneninolone
  • Mini-pill
  • Nor-QD
  • Ethinylnortestosterone
  • Noresthisterone
  • Norethisteronum
  • Norethyndron
  • Noretisterona
  • Minovlar
  • Utovlar
  • Norpregneninlone
  • 19-Nor-ethindrone
  • Microneth
  • Norethin

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
White crystalline powderexp.
Odour
ODORLESSexp.
Taste
Slightly bitter tasteexp.
Melting point
204 °Cexp.
Solubility
PRACTICALLY INSOL IN WATER, SOL IN CHLOROFORM, ETHER, DIOXANE, SOL @ 25 °C: 1 IN 12.5 PARTS 95% ETHANOL, 1 IN 4 PARTS ACETONE /ACETATE/exp.
Vapour pressure
3.14 × 10⁻⁷ mmHgexp.

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
298.43 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
298.1933 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
3.49calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
2calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
22calc.
Rings
4calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.75calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
6calc.
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=C1C=C2CCC3C4CCCC4CCC3C2CC1

O=C1C=C2CCC3C4CCCC4CCC3C2CC1

4 rings, 18 atoms.

1,419 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard

Hazard statements

  • H312Harmful in contact with skin.
  • H332Harmful if inhaled.
  • H351Suspected of causing cancer.
  • H360May damage fertility or the unborn child.
Precautionary statements (12)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

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

Norethindrone suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 87 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

87 suppliers in 18 countries

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Norethindrone 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

Use classes: Pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacological actions

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic

Roles

  • agonist
  • analgesic
  • antimicrobial agent
  • antineoplastic agent
  • antiviral agent
  • contraceptive drug
  • female contraceptive drug
  • hormone
  • immunomodulator
  • immunosuppressive agent
  • molecular messenger
  • oral contraceptive
  • pharmaceutical
  • progestin
  • progestogen
  • reproductive control drug
  • sex hormone
  • synthetic oral contraceptive

Pharmacology

Norethindrone is a Progestin. The chemical classification of norethindrone is Progesterone Congeners.

How it is made

The methyl ether of estrone is reacted with lithium metal in liquid ammonia to reduce Ring A to the 4-ene state and the reduced compound is then oxidized with chromic acid in aqueous acetic acid to form estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (I). To prevent the 3-keto group from participating in the ensuing ethynylation reaction, I is reacted with ethyl orthoformate in the presence of pyridine hydrochloride to form the 3-ethoxy-3,5-diene compound (II).

Read more

Acetylene is then passed into a solution of II in toluene, previously admixed with a solution of sodium in tert-amyl alcohol, to form the 17-ethynyl-17-hydroxy compound. Hydrolysis at the 3-ethyoxy linkage by heating with dilute HCl is accompanied rearrangement of the 3-hydroxy-3,5-diene compound to the 3-oxo-4- ene state.

It is prepared by reacting the methyl ester of estrone with lithium metal in liquid ammonia to reduce ring A to the 4-ene state, the reduced product is oxidized with chromic acid in aqueous acetic acid to form estr-4-ene-3,17-dione. In order to prevent the 3-keto group from participating in the ensuing ethynylation reaction, estr-4-ene-3,17-dione is reacted with ethyl orthoformate in the presence of pyridine hydrochloride to form the 3-ethoxy-3,5-diene compound. Acetylene is passed into a solution of this compound in toluene, previously admixed with a solution of sodium in tert-amyl alcohol, to form the 17-ethynyl-17-hydroxy compound.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

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

HS 2937.23Indicative HS code

Oestrogens and progestogens

World exports in 2024
$762M
−2.3% vs 2023, imports $693M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China42.9%
  2. Italy18.4%
  3. Netherlands8.9%
Top importers
  1. India * partner reported12.1%
  2. United States11.0%
  3. Belgium8.3%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

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

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

Frequently asked questions

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

What is Norethindrone?

Norethisterone is a 17beta-hydroxy steroid that is testosterone in which the hydrogen at position 17 is replaced by an ethynyl group and in which the methyl group attached to position 10 is replaced by hydrogen. It has a role as a synthetic oral contraceptive and a progestin.

What is the CAS number of Norethindrone?

The CAS registry number of Norethindrone is 68-22-4.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Norethindrone?

The molecular formula of Norethindrone is C20H26O2 and its molar mass is 298.43 g/mol.

What is Norethindrone used for?

Use classes: Pharmaceuticals.

Is Norethindrone hazardous?

Norethindrone carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: harmful in contact with skin, harmful if inhaled, suspected of causing cancer. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Norethindrone?

Norethindrone is usually classified under HS code 293723 (Oestrogens and progestogens). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Norethindrone?

CompoundList lists 87 suppliers of Norethindrone in China, United States, India, Germany and 14 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Norethindrone in India?

11 suppliers in India list Norethindrone on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Norethindrone?

Suppliers quote Norethindrone 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 Norethindrone

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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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