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Common name: 3-Chloropropionitrile
Chemical formula: C3H4ClN
Other names: β-Chloropropionitrile
CAS Number: 620-17-7
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sharp, acrid, unpleasant
Molecular weight: 89.52 g/mol
Hazard class: Acute toxicity, skin and eye irritation, flammable liquids
GHS signal word: Danger
Key risks: Skin burns, serious eye damage, respiratory tract irritation, toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, harmful if inhaled
Long-term effects: Potential for damage to liver and kidneys, possible central nervous system symptoms with repeated exposure
Routes of exposure: Skin, eye, inhalation, ingestion
Main component: 3-Chloropropionitrile (≥95%)
Impurities: Less than 5%, may include water, related chloro- and cyano- compounds
Inhalation: Take person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath show up
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin immediately with soap and water, look for signs of burns or lasting irritation, get help if it gets worse
Eye contact: Rinse eyes gently but thoroughly for at least fifteen minutes, lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally, don’t delay getting medical care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek professional help immediately, watch for symptoms like nausea or convulsions
Suitable agents: Dry powder, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable agents: Water jets—might spread the chemical
Hazardous combustion products: Hydrogen chloride gas, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide
Fire risks: Vapors may ignite, can form toxic gases under fire conditions
Protective action: Stay upwind, use self-contained breathing apparatus, keep runoff out of sewers and waterways
Personal precautions: Put on chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, avoid breathing vapors, use a well-fitted mask if needed
Containment: Ventilate the area, block drains, use absorbent material like sand or earth to stop spreading
Cleanup: Scoop up spilled liquid with non-sparking tools, place in sealed containers for disposal, wash area with plenty of water after removal
Aftercare: Monitor air quality, discard contaminated clothing, double-bag anything that soaked up the spill
Handling precautions: Only work in well-ventilated spaces, handle with gloves and goggles, avoid skin and eye contact, keep distant from acids and bases
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers, away from sunlight and ignition sources, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated places with good chemical segregation, label containers clearly
Don’t mix with: Alkalis, oxidizers, strong acids
Risk reduction: Regularly check container integrity, use secondary containment for large quantities
Workplace exposure limits: No strict legal limit, aim for levels below 1 ppm to minimize risk
Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood recommended
Personal protection: Butyl rubber gloves, sealed splash goggles, flame-resistant lab coat, fit-tested respirator for high vapor concentrations
Hygiene: Wash hands after handling, keep food and drink away from work area, don’t smoke near the chemical
Physical state: Liquid
Color: Clear to pale yellow
Odor: Sharp, pungent
Melting point: -47°C
Boiling point: 157°C
Flash point: 52°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water, miscible with many organic solvents
Vapor pressure: Low at room temperature, but noticeable
Density: 1.10 g/cm³ at 20°C
Chemical stability: Stable in cool, dry, inert environments
Reactive with: Strong acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents may trigger hazardous reactions
Thermal breakdown: Releases hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide
Conditions to avoid: High heat, open flame, contact with incompatible materials
Polymerization: Not expected under normal use, but never rule out risks with similar nitrile compounds
Likely exposure: Vapors irritate eyes, nose, and throat, liquid burns skin and eyes
Acute effects: Nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, burns, lung irritation
High dose: Risk of cyanide poisoning, convulsions, collapse, organ failure
Chronic exposure: Liver and kidney damage reported in animal studies, neurological symptoms
Toxicity data: Oral LD50 (rat) roughly 117 mg/kg, skin LD50 much higher—always handle as though even small doses are risky
Sensitization: Little evidence, still, nobody wants a spill on bare hands
Aquatic impact: Harmful to aquatic life even at low levels, kills fish and invertebrates
Persistence: Not readily biodegradable, stays in environment for weeks or months
Bioaccumulation: Modest potential—does not appear to build up in higher organisms
Environmental fate: Spills run into drains reach waterways fast, risk of groundwater contamination
Secondary concerns: Toxic breakdown products in soil and water
Preferred methods: Use licensed incinerator facility with scrubbers for acid and cyanide
Alternative: Chemical neutralization possible but needs expert oversight
Don’t pour down drains or dumps, strict controls apply in most regions
Spent containers and residues: Triple rinse, puncture, label, place in hazardous waste stream for pick-up
Regulatory requirements: Hazardous waste label, transport manifest, full documentation for disposal company
UN number: UN 2810
Proper shipping name: Toxic liquid, organic, n.o.s. (3-Chloropropionitrile)
Hazard class: 6.1 (toxic substances)
Packing group: II (medium danger)
Environmental hazards: Marked as marine pollutant by many transport code writers
Transport conditions: Leak-proof drum or container, keep away from foodstuffs, specific placarding required
Emergency response: Evacuation possible for big spills on road or rail
Classification: Listed as acutely toxic in many chemical regulations, subject to reporting under hazardous substance laws
Risk phrases: Toxic by inhalation, contact, and ingestion, causes burns
Safety phrases: Avoid contact, keep away from heat and open flame, keep locked up and out of reach, use adequate ventilation
Restrictions: Only trained handlers, approved storage, thorough record-keeping at every stage
Special requirements: Inspections by regulatory authorities for storage and disposal sites, mandatory reporting of spills and worker exposure
