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Chemical Name: 2,3-Dimethyl-1-butene
Chemical Formula: C6H12
CAS Number: 563-79-1
Common Uses: Sits in the supply chain as a building block for specialty chemicals, often shows up in hydrocarbon research, appears in the background of polymer chemistry, and gets called up for organic synthesis projects.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid that often goes unnoticed on the shelf; characteristic hydrocarbon smell that sharp noses in the lab have picked out from across a room.
Physical Hazards: Flammable liquid, catches fire at room temperature if someone brings in a stray spark, and can form explosive mixtures with air—every chemistry teacher who ever warned about open flames earns their paycheck here.
Health Hazards: Inhalation can bring on headaches and dizziness pretty quickly, prolonged contact with skin strips away oils and leaves a nasty dryness, and if you get it in your eyes, expect pain and watering. Chronic exposure is rare but comes with its own list of complaints. Direct ingestion has sent folks to the ER.
Signal Word: Danger (that’s not a suggestion—people have learned their lesson the hard way).
NFPA Ratings (estimated): Health: 1; Flammability: 3; Instability: 1.
Main Ingredient: 2,3-Dimethyl-1-butene (purity varies batch-to-batch in labs, but commercial options sometimes hit the high nineties percentile).
Impurities: Trace amounts of other dimethylbutene isomers, minor aliphatic hydrocarbons, byproducts depending on manufacturing route.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, open up the space, loosen any tight fitting clothing—people talk about feeling better almost immediately, but always push for medical attention if symptoms linger.
Skin Contact: Wash off with a steady flow of water and take soap seriously; persistent redness means time for a visit to occupational health.
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids open and flush with water—don’t rub, just keep rinsing for several minutes; vision that’s blurry or pain that sticks around means you need a doctor.
Ingestion: Don’t try to induce vomiting—get that person to a medical professional fast, because hydrocarbons crossing into lungs turn dangerous.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide. Water may cool tanks but can spread burning liquid.
Specific Hazards: Vapors travel along the ground and find a way to ignition sources far from the spill. Combustion produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Chemically resistant gear and self-contained breathing apparatus—don’t stand upwind hoping it’ll blow by. Cool containers even after fire is out.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate the area if quantities are large, stop anyone from lighting up or operating electrical equipment, and use non-sparking tools.
Environmental Measures: Prevent liquid from reaching drains, sewers, or waterways; hydrocarbons flowing downstream often turn small incidents into big problems, especially near aquatic life.
Cleanup: Contain with sand or vermiculite, scoop into containers for disposal, ventilate the area thoroughly. Small spills in the lab wipe up with absorbent, but keep used material away from heat sources.
Handling: Work in a chemical fume hood if possible, ground containers to prevent static discharge, and keep tools and drums tightly closed. Anyone ignoring these steps will remember the outcome.
Storage: Cool, dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from oxidizers and peroxides. Keep containers upright and out of sunlight to avoid pressure build-up. Label everything—the right label has saved more labs than can be counted.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specifically established exposure limit, but comparable alkenes have OSHA PELs of 100 ppm for similar vapors.
Engineering Controls: Use of local exhaust ventilation, explosion-proof equipment, and vapor detectors go a long way to staying safe.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, gloves made from nitrile or neoprene, flame-resistant lab coats, and closed shoes.
Respiratory Protection: Respirators for poorly ventilated spaces or during spill cleanups.
Molecular Weight: 84.16 g/mol
Boiling Point: Roughly 63-64°C (146-147°F).
Melting Point: Below freezing, probably below -100°C.
Vapor Pressure: Significant at room temperature—contributes to its rapid evaporation.
Density: About 0.68 g/cm³ at 20°C.
Solubility: Insoluble in water, dissolves well in organic solvents.
Odor: Typical, sweetish hydrocarbon smell.
Chemical Stability: Stable during storage at room temperature in closed containers.
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, hot surfaces, sources of sparks, and strong oxidizing agents like peroxides.
Hazardous Reactions: Avoid mixing with acids, oxidizers, and halogens; inappropriate containers can cause pressure build-up and rupture.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning produces carbon monoxide along with carbon dioxide.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, and accidental ingestion.
Short-Term Effects: Irritation to eyes and skin, headaches, lightheadedness after breathing vapors, sometimes coughing or sore throat after high exposures.
Chronic Effects: No robust data in humans, but similar hydrocarbons have shown neurological symptoms with long-term exposure.
Sensitization: Not a known sensitizer, but always possible in sensitive individuals.
Aquatic Effects: Toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates at higher concentrations. A spill into water can quickly coat surfaces and interfere with oxygen exchange.
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down slowly in the environment; volatile components may disperse but residues can hang around.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low for 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene but breakdown products may build up in fat tissue over time.
Methods: Send for incineration or use a licensed hazardous waste contractor. It doesn’t belong in the sink, storm drain, or regular trash stream.
Container Handling: Empty containers should be rinsed and trashed in accordance with regulations—still flammable and hazardous even after you pour out the last drop.
Transport Hazard Class: Classified as a flammable liquid.
UN Number: UN 1993 for flammable liquids, n.o.s.
Packing Group: II (indicates medium danger).
Special Precautions: Keep drums upright, prevent leaks, separate from food and incompatible substances.
Global Inventories: 2,3-Dimethyl-1-butene does not pop up on all chemical inventory lists, but gets controlled under generic hydrocarbon regulations.
Hazard Symbols: Flammable (flame), irritant (exclamation mark).
GHS Labeling: Danger; highly flammable liquid and vapor, causes skin and eye irritation.
Restrictions: Transport and handling get strict oversight in workplaces and labs; local rules kick in for waste and spill response.
