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Chemical name: 3-Hydroxypropionitrile
Common names: β-Hydroxypropionitrile, 3-Hydroxy-propionitrile
CAS Number: 109-78-4
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a faint, characteristic odor
Synonyms: 3-HPN
Classification: Acute toxicity — oral and inhalation, skin irritation, eye irritation
Main hazards: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled; ingestion or breathing in vapor brings danger of nausea, dizziness, and, in high doses, convulsions or respiratory failure. Skin and eye contact can cause burns or irritation.
Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements: Causes severe eye irritation, toxic to the nervous system, harmful if it gets on skin or is swallowed.
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark
Substance: 3-Hydroxypropionitrile
Purity: Typically above 98% for laboratory-grade material
Known impurities: Water, trace nitriles, other hydroxy compounds
If inhaled: Get into fresh air immediately; monitor breathing, seek medical help right away for difficulty breathing.
If on skin: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with plenty of water and soap. Beware of chemical burns; medical care may be needed.
If in eyes: Rinse thoroughly with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses after first rinse, continue rinsing, and follow up with a doctor.
If ingested: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth and get medical attention without delay, as rapid toxic effects are possible.
Suitable extinguishing media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam
Hazards from combustion: Noxious gases including hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide may be released.
Protective equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and resistant protective clothing.
Precautions: Keep upwind, stay clear of containers exposed to fire due to potential explosive vapor release.
Personal precautions: Use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and protective suit. Avoid vapor inhalation, open windows for ventilation. Do not handle without proper gear.
Environmental precautions: Avoid letting substance get into drains, watercourses, or soil. Stop leaks only if safe to do so; dams or absorbents may help.
Cleanup: Absorb with inert material such as sand or vermiculite; sweep up, place in sealed container for disposal. Wash area with soap, water.
Safe handling: Work in well-ventilated spaces, avoid breathing in vapor, prevent contact with eyes and skin. Always wear gloves, goggles, and lab coats.
Storage conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers, keep away from heat, sparks, and direct sunlight. Separate from acids, oxidizers, bases. Label storage clearly, monitor temperature and humidity. Lock away from access when not in use.
Workplace controls: Fume hood recommended, local exhaust improves safety. Keep containers sealed unless actively withdrawing material.
Eye/face protection: Chemical safety goggles required at all times. A face shield works well if splashing is possible.
Skin protection: Choose nitrile or butyl gloves, change them on contamination. Lab coats or chemical-resistant aprons offer an extra barrier.
Respiratory protection: Use organic vapor respirator if working without fume hood or when handling large quantities.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Slightly pungent, sweet
Boiling Point: Roughly 206°C
Melting Point: About –43°C
Solubility: Readily dissolves in water
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Density: Close to 1.03 g/cm³
Chemical stability: Stable at room temperature if stored away from strong acids, bases, and oxidizers
Conditions to avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, sunlight, moisture
Incompatible materials: Oxidizing agents, strong acids, bases
Hazardous decomposition: Hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, other toxic gases are released on burning or strong decomposition.
Acute toxicity: Exposure by swallowing or inhalation can quickly affect the central nervous system. Symptoms range from mild headache to convulsions or loss of consciousness, depending on dose.
Skin contact: Produces irritation and redness; prolonged exposure may result in burns or dermatitis.
Eye contact: Causes serious irritation, watering, and redness, potential for damage to eye tissues.
Chronic effects: Ongoing low-level exposure brings risk of neurological impacts, breathing issues, and possible organ problems.
Toxicity to aquatic life: High toxicity to fish and invertebrates, even at low concentrations. Leaks into water threaten local ecosystems.
Persistence: Breaks down in water over days, but residual material can persist and affect organisms down the food chain.
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up in animal tissues based on current data, but runoff risks remain serious.
Safe disposal: Treat as hazardous chemical waste. Collect in sealed containers for pickup by certified disposal contractors. Mixing with household or regular waste creates serious contamination risk.
Spill residue: Clean tools and storage sites with water and detergent, trap residues for proper handling.
Shipping requirements: Classified as hazardous for road, air, and sea. Use appropriate UN packaging, mark as toxic liquid.
Precautions in transit: Seal tightly, store upright, isolate from food, animal feed, or incompatible chemicals during shipment. Emergency cards should accompany every shipment.
Workplace limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits, but best practice treats any nitrile as worthy of strict controls.
Safety laws: Subject to regulations under chemical safety and environmental protection statutes in many countries, with requirements for reporting major spills or releases.
Labeling standards: GHS pictograms and hazard statements mandatory under global chemical labeling rules.
