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Chemical Name: 2-Butenenitrile, trans-
Common Synonyms: Crotononitrile, trans-Crotononitrile
Molecular Formula: C4H5N
CAS Number: 764-93-2
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a distinct, acrid odor
Odor Threshold: Noticeable at low concentrations due to its sharp, unpleasant aroma
Recommended Use: Often found in chemical synthesis, as a solvent, or for research purposes
Physical Danger: Flammable liquid, comes with risk of fire in the presence of ignition sources
Health Risks: Can cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system; harmful if inhaled or swallowed
Environmental Impact: Toxic to aquatic life; spills pose problems for waterways and soils
Signal Words: Danger applies due to acute toxicity and flammability
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, and skull & crossbones icons flagged on regulatory labels
Precautionary Actions: Handlers must avoid breathing vapors; keep away from sparks, open flame, or heat
Main Ingredient: 2-Butenenitrile, trans- (concentration typically >95%)
Impurities: Minor traces of related nitriles, usually below reporting thresholds
Additives: Pure forms contain no additives or stabilizers in most commercial lab stocks
Inhalation: Move anyone affected to fresh air right away; oxygen might be needed for breathing difficulty; seek medical attention for symptoms like coughing or throat irritation
Skin Contact: Strip off contaminated clothing and rinse the skin under running water for at least fifteen minutes; persistent irritation or burns require professional medical care
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least fifteen minutes, lifting eyelids often; medical attention matters even for mild symptoms, as damage can progress
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, avoid swallowing further, and seek urgent medical attention; direct advice from poison specialists guides treatment, especially since induced vomiting can make things worse
Flammable Properties: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air; liquid ignites at relatively low temperatures
Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or CO2; water jet stream not recommended because it may spread the fire
Firefighting Precautions: Self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear help limit inhalation and contact; cool drums or containers nearby with water from a safe distance to prevent pressure buildup or explosions
Noteworthy Hazards: Combustion releases toxic fumes such as hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and irritating vapors, making fire scenes extra dangerous
Personal Safety: Evacuate unnecessary personnel right away; only trained staff with proper respirators should deal with spills
Containment Steps: Ventilate areas quickly; dike liquid spills with inert absorbents like vermiculite or sand rather than sweeping directly
Environmental Actions: Prevent runoff into drains, sewers, and water sources; report spills that can reach the environment according to local rules
Cleanup Methods: Collect the absorbed material in sealable containers for hazardous waste disposal; decontaminate surfaces with plenty of water once the main spill is up
Handling Practices: Only open containers in fume hoods or well-ventilated areas; avoid splashes or aerosols; never eat, drink, or smoke where products are handled
Personal Gear: Always wear gloves, goggles, and lab coats; chemical-resistant gloves, plus respiratory protection if airborne concentrations cross the recommended limit
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers away from light, ignition sources, oxidizing agents, and heat; designate cabinets for flammables, ventilation crucial for vapor control
Incompatibilities: Avoid storing with strong acids, alkalis, or oxidizing chemicals, as reactions may release hazardous byproducts or ignite
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods or local exhaust systems trap vapors before they escape
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA PEL, but ACGIH recommends keeping air concentrations as low as possible
Eye/Face Protection: Safety goggles or full face shields resist splashes
Hand Protection: Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves resist permeation better than latex
Body Protection: Lab coats or aprons, and closed footwear, ward off accidental exposure
Respiratory Protection: In cases of high vapor or inadequate ventilation, NIOSH-approved cartridges rated for organic vapors make sense
Molecular Weight: Roughly 67.09 g/mol
Boiling Point: Around 119 °C
Melting Point: Below room temperature; liquid under normal lab conditions
Density: About 0.80 g/cm³
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, easily mixes with many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Considerable even at room temperatures, contributing to evaporative loss and risk
Appearance and Odor: Clear to light yellow, sharp chemical smell quickly fills an unventilated room
Flash Point: Roughly 30 °C, so risk of ignition lingers in conditions hotter than a mild summer day
Chemical Stability: Stable in sealed containers at recommended storage conditions
Decomposition: Slow breakdown if exposed to strong acids, oxidizers, or sustained heat, potentially forming dangerous gases
Hazardous Reactions: Intense heat or mixing with reactive substances could kick off dangerous polymerizations or trigger toxic fumes
Incompatibilities: Avoid unplanned mixing with strong acids, bases, reducers, or oxidizers
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Breathing vapors often triggers throat pain, coughing, headaches, and dizziness; swallowing brings abdominal discomfort, nausea, sometimes convulsions
Skin/Eye Reactions: Direct contact may sting, redden, and irritate
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposures may weaken liver, kidneys, or nerves, although low-level, intermittent handling using protection has not shown major long-term health trends according to available literature
Notable Data: Animal models link high doses to symptoms consistent with cyanide poisoning, underlining why handling care isn’t optional
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates, disrupting oxygen uptake and nerve activity
Persistence: Breaks down slowly in water, with toxic metabolites lingering in soil and sediment
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate uptake possible in aquatic organisms; longer-term hazards stem from build-up in contaminated wetlands or runoff zones
Soil Mobility: Liquid leaks may travel through porous ground, contaminating groundwater or crops
Precaution: Responsible disposal and spill prevention protect waterways and wildlife from unnecessary harm
Waste Management: Contaminated solids and liquids call for hazardous waste handling at approved facilities, following national and local environmental rules
Unwanted Quantities: Never dump down drains or regular trash bins; recycling is rarely an option, even in specialist chemical facilities
Container Disposal: Empty but unwashed containers must be treated as toxic waste
Spill Waste: All absorbents and cleaning gear go to hazardous waste, not landfill
UN Classification: Moves under labels for flammable, toxic liquids
Hazard Labels: Flammable liquid and poison symbols required for shipments
Packaging: Leakproof, shatter-resistant bottles, sealed tightly and cushioned against impacts
Special Handling During Transport: Documents must flag both toxic and fire risk for carriers; temperature control sometimes important if large amounts move in hot weather
OSHA Status: Recognized as a hazardous chemical; mandates proper labeling and training
EPCRA/Toxic Release Reporting: Sits on lists that demand release notifications if large quantities spill or escape
Global Classification: Classified under GHS for flammability and acute toxicity across most countries
Worker Protection: Employers must train workers on the specific hazards and keep safety plans current
Labelling: Containers need hazard pictograms, risk phrases, safety phrases, and emergency instructions based on national and international law
