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Chemical Name: 1,2-Butylene Oxide
Synonyms: 1,2-Epoxybutane, 1,2-Butene Oxide
CAS Number: 106-88-7
Appearance: Colorless liquid, faintly sweet odor
Molecular Formula: C4H8O
Uses: Intermediate in organic synthesis, solvent for certain chemical reactions, not intended for consumer use, largely restricted to industrial settings because of chemical reactivity and potential health risks
Health Hazards: Causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract; inhalation or direct contact frequently triggers burning, redness, or coughing. Continued exposure carries risk of central nervous system effects including dizziness or headache; high concentrations can have anesthetic or narcotic effects. Considered possibly carcinogenic to humans by several health agencies based on limited evidence.
Physical Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; vapor forms explosive mixtures with air above flash point. Releases toxic gases on combustion.
Environmental Hazards: Expected to be moderately toxic to aquatic organisms, with potential for bioaccumulation not well defined.
Component: 1,2-Butylene Oxide
Purity: Typically >95% for industrial grades
Impurities: Unreacted butene, water, trace byproducts (usually low levels)
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; support breathing as needed; seek medical attention if symptoms continue.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash exposed skin thoroughly using water and nonabrasive soap; if irritation persists, consult a physician.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently but thoroughly with clean water for at least 15 minutes, making sure eyelids are kept open; seek prompt medical advice.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting; obtain medical advice promptly.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide; avoid water jet which risks spreading fire.
Specific Hazards: Vapors may travel and ignite at a distance; can produce irritating and toxic gases including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Containers can explode in fire.
Protective Equipment: Full firefighting gear including self-contained breathing apparatus is recommended. Approach fire from upwind whenever possible, and remove affected containers if it is safe to do so.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area quickly in case of a major spill; ventilate to reduce potentially explosive vapor concentrations; avoid direct skin or eye contact.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent chemical from entering soil, waterways or drains.
Containment and Cleanup: Use non-sparking tools to absorb or pump liquid into containers; soak up remaining residues with suitable absorbent like sand. Wash area with plenty of water. Dispose of waste in line with local regulations.
Safe Handling: Work in well-ventilated settings, preferably under local exhaust ventilation; keep containers tightly closed; avoid breathing vapors and all direct contact.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, open flames, or strong oxidizers. Use only compatible containers and keep away from food, feed, and drinking water.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Recognized agencies recommend airborne exposure limits—indoor occupational exposures should be kept well below these thresholds, although limits differ worldwide.
Engineering controls: Use fume hoods or other local ventilation to limit inhalation risks.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene preferred), safety goggles, and flame-resistant lab coats; in situations likely to exceed exposure limits, use respiratory protection with organic vapor cartridges.
Physical State: Liquid at room temperature
Odor: Faint, ethereal, sweet-like
Flash Point: About 16°C (61°F)
Boiling Point: Roughly 63°C (145°F)
Vapor Pressure: High, facilitating rapid evaporation
Solubility: Limited water solubility, miscible with a wide range of organic solvents
Density: Similar to water, slightly less
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling.
Reactivity: May form explosive peroxides on prolonged storage; reacts with acids, bases, strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition: Releases toxic fumes including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide in fire or high temperatures.
Acute Effects: Brief exposure tends to produce strong irritation of eyes, skin, or respiratory tract. Symptoms—burning, redness, coughing—develop rapidly on contact or inhalation.
Chronic Effects: Long-term or repeated exposures may carry risk for organ toxicity; some animal studies have linked repeated exposure to elevated cancer risk.
Sensitization: No strong evidence of allergic responses, but occupational cases of skin and respiratory irritation get reported.
Routes of Exposure: Most common are inhalation or direct skin/eye exposure; unintentional ingestion rarely occurs outside lab or workplace settings.
Aquatic Toxicity: Known to harm fish or algae at elevated concentrations; available studies suggest moderate toxicity with lingering breakdown.
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down in the environment over days to weeks; sunlight, soil microbes accelerate this process.
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to occur to a significant degree based on available evidence, though persistent residues remain a concern for some waterways.
Waste Treatment: Incineration using chemical scrubbers is one of the safest methods; do not pour waste into ordinary drains or landfills.
Containers: Empty drums or bottles require decontamination before recycling; best practice involves rinsing with compatible solvent and labeling as hazardous even after empty.
Shipping Classification: Regarded as a flammable liquid under most transport regulations
UN Number: Assigned in hazardous materials lists
Transport Hazards: Spill response kits, fire suppression materials, and secure, sealed packaging remain essential during transit. Movement, whether by road, rail, or sea, calls for documentation and training for handlers.
Workplace Safety: Occupational health acts in industrialized nations set exposure limits and demand clear labels, access to safety data, and routine training.
Chemical Restrictions: Increasingly tight regulations on carcinogenic or flammable chemicals restrict end-uses for non-laboratory, non-industrial handlers.
Environmental Controls: Discharges into air or water monitored by public health or environmental agencies, with strict penalties for unauthorized releases or negligent disposal.
