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Chemical Name: Butyric Anhydride
Common Names: Butanoic anhydride
Chemical Formula: (C4H7O)2O
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a penetrating odor
Odor: Strong, sharp, and unpleasant, similar to rancid butter
Molecular Weight: 158.18 g/mol
Physical Hazards: Corrosive to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; highly flammable vapors
Health Hazards: Causes severe irritation or burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; inhalation can harm lungs and respiratory passages
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life if it enters water systems
GHS Classification: Corrosive category; flammable liquid
Pictograms: Corrosive, flammable
Component: Butyric Anhydride (CAS: 106-31-0)
Purity: Usually over 95% in industrial and laboratory supply
Impurities: Trace amounts of butyric acid or butyric acid esters depending on manufacturer
Inhalation: Move person outside immediately, seek fresh air, and consult medical services at once for any symptoms such as coughing or breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with copious water and soap for at least 15 minutes, avoid scrubbing, and consult medical attention
Eye Contact: Flush with gentle running water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids often, get emergency medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek prompt medical attention
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use CO2, dry chemical powder, foam; avoid water streams which may spread flames
Specific Hazards: Releases corrosive and acrid fumes when burning, may decompose to form butyric acid and various oxides of carbon
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus
Explosion Risk: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air under certain conditions
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, and protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from entering drains or water sources
Procedures for Clean-Up: Absorb with inert material like dry sand, ventilate area, collect liquid in sealable containers, wash area with plenty of water but avoid direct contact
Safe Handling: Work within chemical fume hood, wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and long-sleeve clothing
Storage Conditions: Keep in tightly closed container, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from sources of ignition and moisture
Incompatibles: Acids, bases, strong oxidizers, water, alcohols, and amines react strongly with butyric anhydride
Occupational Exposure Limits: Specific international guidelines exist for anhydrides, but limits should follow local regulations
Engineering Controls: Use fume hood and ensure local ventilation at point of emission
PPE: Chemical splash goggles, impervious gloves such as nitrile, laboratory apron or long-sleeve chemical suits, and adequate respiratory protection if vapors might be present
Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse
Physical State: Liquid
Boiling Point: 163°C
Melting Point: -58.7°C
Flash Point: About 49°C (closed cup)
Auto-ignition Temperature: Near 200°C
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Solubility: Reacts with water, soluble in most organic solvents
Density: Roughly 0.98 g/cm³
Odor Threshold: Noticeable at very low concentrations
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, unstable in presence of moisture or heat
Reactive Materials: Strongly reactive with water, alcohols, amines, acids, bases, oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition: Can break down to butyric acid, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other toxic products if heated or mixed with water
Acute Effects: Contact causes chemical burns to skin and eyes; ingestion results in intense gastrointestinal irritation or burns; inhalation causes severe respiratory tract injury
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause permanent eye damage, dermatitis, or respiratory system sensitization
Sensitization: Repeated skin contact can trigger allergic reactions in some people
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, lungs
LD50 (oral, rat): Data suggests 1760 mg/kg for butyric acid family compounds, though direct data for butyric anhydride is limited
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to fish and aquatic organisms; may pollute water sources if released unchecked
Persistence and Degradability: Readily hydrolyzes to butyric acid and other products; persistence in environment depends on dilution and temperature
Bioaccumulation: Expected to be low due to rapid breakdown in water
Mobility in Soil: Rapid hydrolysis limits penetration into groundwater, but runoff still presents danger
Methods: Incinerate in an approved chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber; do not dump into sewers, waterways, or on ground
Precautions: Handle residues and contaminated washing solutions as hazardous waste, comply with local regulations for disposal
UN Number: 2525 (Butyric anhydride)
Proper Shipping Name: Butyric anhydride
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Precautions for Transport: Keep containers upright and secure, provide ventilation to reduce vapor risk during transit, avoid transporting with food or incompatible goods
Labelling: Regulations require GHS pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements
Chemical Inventory: Listed in many national chemical inventories; inclusion typically triggers reporting and handling rules for hazardous materials
Worker Protection Rules: Mandatory training, access restrictions, and recordkeeping required by most safety agencies, including detailed written procedures
Special Restrictions: Shipping restrictions often apply, and use frequently requires notification or reporting to local environmental authorities
