Chemical Name: 2,4-Dimethyl-3-pentanone Synonyms: Diisopropyl ketone CAS Number: 565-69-5 Molecular Formula: C7H14O Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a subtle fruity odor Common Uses: Employed as a solvent in manufacturing and laboratory settings, has value in organic synthesis thanks to its unique branched structure, sometimes appears as an intermediate in pharmaceutical production Odor Threshold: Detected by scent at low concentrations, making leaks and spills somewhat noticeable before concentrations become dangerous
GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid (Category 3), Eye Irritation (Category 2A) Flame Symbol: Indicates it ignites readily; a match or spark can turn a careless moment into an emergency Irritation: Splashes raise red flags for eyes, nose, and skin, causing burning sensations and possibly watering or redness; eyes are especially sensitive Inhalation Risks: Vapors in poorly ventilated areas can mean headaches, dizziness, and even short-term confusion; proper air movement saves headaches and worse Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated contact dries and cracks skin, contributing to contact dermatitis, especially for those working daily with solvents without adequate skin barriers
Main Ingredient: 2,4-Dimethyl-3-pentanone (purity typically 98% or higher in commercial supply) Impurities: Small traces of similar ketones or residual solvents—these impurities rarely reach exposure levels of toxic concern in regulated environments
Inhalation: Move directly to fresh air and loosen clothing; monitor breathing and seek medical advice if headache, drowsiness, or confusion don’t fade quickly Skin Contact: Wash immediately with moderate running water for at least 15 minutes, soap up to break down oils, and discard contaminated clothing Eye Contact: Rinse gently but thoroughly, keeping eyelids open under a mild stream of water for up to 20 minutes; pain and redness mean a trip to the doctor Ingestion: Rinse mouth if conscious, never try to induce vomiting since aspiration hazard exists; medical personnel should be called swiftly
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Choose dry chemical, foam, or CO2 fire extinguishers—water mist can help, direct water streams tend to spread burning liquid Special Hazards: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air, especially near floor-level where heavier-than-air vapor pools Personal Protection for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant gear form a basic shield; do not enter confined spaces without backup and monitoring Combustion Products: Burns to carbon oxides, which present additional respiratory hazards; keep upwind
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, block ignition sources, ventilate enclosed spaces Containment: Surround puddles with inert absorbents such as sand or universal spill pads, avoiding drains to prevent water contamination Cleanup: Shovel or sweep inert materials and contaminated soil into secure, labeled drums for disposal; never hose down—they just diffuse the hazard Decontamination: Clean surfaces with mild soap solutions after initial removal, dispose of wash water as contaminated waste
Handling Guidelines: Wear splash goggles and gloves every time containers are opened or product is poured, keep containers tightly closed and grounded to prevent static discharge Safe Storage: Store in cool, dry, fire-resistant buildings—ventilated cabinets for flammables work well, segregated from oxidizers or acids Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers and concentrated acids speed up unwanted reactions or even ignite vapors Workplace Practices: Limit the volume in the open workspace to reduce possible exposure in case of leaks
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust and fume hoods drastically drop inhalation risks in labs and processing plants; regular room air changes support over the long haul Personal Protective Equipment: Butyl or nitrile gloves resist permeation, splash goggles keep solvents out of eyes, lab coats or aprons shield skin and clothing Respiratory Protection: In high concentrations or accidental spills, a half-mask organic vapor respirator makes a night-and-day difference in safety Workplace Exposure Limits: No official OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit set in the USA for this exact compound—best practice is to keep workplace air below 50 ppm, based on similar ketones Hygiene Considerations: Washing hands before meals or breaks, never eating or smoking near solvents
Appearance: Transparent, colorless liquid Boiling Point: Nearly 123°C, so low heat can evaporate it quickly; distillation occurs easily under ordinary lab conditions Melting Point: Near -50°C Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temp, increasing markedly above 30°C Solubility: Mixes well with ethers, alcohols, and most organic solvents; insoluble or only slightly soluble in water Odor: Subtle fruity note—distinct from acetone’s sharp smell, but easily noticeable at higher concentrations Flash Point: Borderline low at 29°C (closed cup), which marks it as a combustible liquid under typical workplace conditions Density: Around 0.8 g/cm³
Chemical Stability: Holds up at room temperature in sealed containers, only degrades with strong acids, bases, or elevated temperatures Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing compounds and strong acids can create runaway reactions and sudden fire risk; avoid storing together Decomposition Products: May break down into smaller ketones and acids under intense heat or prolonged sunlight, giving off irritating fumes Hazardous Reactions: Unlikely in normal scenarios, but contamination by peroxides, strong acids, or heat can trigger off-gassing and heat release
Routes of Exposure: Primarily through inhalation and skin absorption; vapor penetrates poorly ventilated areas quickly Inhalation Effects: Short-term exposure above the odor threshold gives rise to mild narcosis—headaches, fatigue, vertigo; long-term inhalation not thoroughly studied in humans but periodic exposure follows solvent-related patterns Skin Effects: Prolonged skin splashes lead to dryness, itching; strong solvent action pulls lipids out of skin Eye Effects: Splash exposure can cause severe discomfort, stinging, lacrimation Ingestion Effects: Toxic by ingestion, symptoms range from gastrointestinal upset to drowsiness or worse neurological effects with larger doses; aspiration is highly dangerous, likely causing chemical pneumonia Carcinogenicity: Unclassified by IARC, OSHA, or NTP for cancer risk—no evidence from existing animal studies, but prudent care stays advisable
Aquatic Toxicity: No robust data for 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone, but related aliphatic ketones harm fish and aquatic invertebrates at moderate concentrations; solvent runoff into water has consequences ranging from oxygen depletion to subtle toxicity for plankton Persistence: Not particularly persistent in the environment; breaks down through standard aerobic pathways in soil and water over time Bioaccumulation: Not expected to accumulate in aquatic food chains; most is volatilized or broken down rather than building up in fish tissue Best Practice: Avoid release into drains, watercourses, or unprotected soil to minimize impact from solvent loads on wastewater treatment or fragile aquatic habitats
Waste Disposal: Solvent-contaminated materials count as hazardous waste; incinerate in approved facilities or dispose of as per local environmental rules Avoid Domestic Drains: Pouring small quantities down the sink spreads solvent widely, stressing local treatment plants and possibly releasing to rivers Larger Quantities: Collect in labeled drums for professional solvent recyclers or hazardous waste pickup; do not evaporate large amounts to atmosphere, since this spreads pollution and contributes to occupational exposure
UN Number: Shipped internationally as Flammable Liquid, n.o.s. (Not Otherwise Specified), under UN 1993 Packing Group: III, lower risk compared to more volatile organics but still requires markings and documented protocols Shipping Method: Special containers with secure, clearly labeled packages; segregate from food and oxidizers, cushion to protect against leaks or impacts during transit Transport Hazards: High temperatures and rough handling raise the likelihood of container failure, so route planning and emergency soak-up kits matter on trucks and railcars
TSCA Status: Listed in the USA under the Toxic Substances Control Act Workplace Regulations: Subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules for flammable solvents, general duty clauses require user training and control plans Labeling: GHS pictograms and hazard statements assist in quick identification and response on containers in storage and use Environmental Safeguards: Regulated for emissions to air and water under national pollution prevention laws, especially near sensitive ecosystems or groundwater