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Chemical Name: Dimethylchloroacetal
Synonyms: 1-chloro-1,1-dimethoxyethane
CAS Number: 96-16-2
Molecular Formula: C4H9ClO2
Recommended Use: Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its structure brings utility in forming protective groups for aldehydes. Its distinct chloro and acetal functional groups rank it as a reactive chemical, not something you'd stumble upon in household settings. Anyone managing it ought to grasp the risks upfront.
Hazard Classifications: Flammable liquid, irritating to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Exposure often causes discomfort; splashes or vapor often prompt coughing, eye watering, or even dizziness. Fire risk climbs fast near ignition sources, making static discharge and open flames a serious threat.
GHS Pictograms: Flammable liquid, health hazard
Hazard Statements: Flammable, causes skin and eye irritation, harmful if inhaled or ingested. Those entering confined spaces or run-down lab corners with stray bottles risk acute symptoms. Even small spills stink up a room with piercing, mildly sweet odors. Workers sometimes underestimate how quickly liquid vaporizes.
Main Ingredient: Dimethylchloroacetal (C4H9ClO2), typically found at purity levels above 97%.
Impurities: Trace amounts of methanol, ethanol, and hydrochloric acid sometimes detected. These minor components shift depending on storage or synthesis route, yet the main risker remains the parent compound. Inhalation or skin contact with high-purity batches warrants the same level of caution as lower-purity ones.
Inhalation: Remove affected individuals to fresh air. Symptoms like coughing, dizziness, or headaches often hit first. Seek medical attention if any trouble breathing lingers, especially in poorly ventilated conditions.
Skin Contact: Flush skin with plenty of water; strip contaminated clothes. Lingering redness or burns should signal a trip to medical staff.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. Prolonged exposure often leads to lasting irritation or visual disturbances.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, and seek immediate medical help. Ingesting even small quantities causes gut pain, nausea, or worse, depending on the amount.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam. Water spray sometimes helps cool adjacent containers. Flames leap quickly given this liquid’s volatility, so responders should gear up with full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Fire Hazards: Vapors can travel long distances to ignition sources, which results in a real explosion risk. Decomposition under fire sometimes releases toxic gases, mainly hydrogen chloride and carbon oxides.
Special Procedures: Approach fires from upwind to avoid inhaling smoke or vapors; evacuation of the area often becomes necessary.
Personal Precautions: Ventilate affected area. Don nitrile gloves, goggles, and a chemical-resistant apron. Workers have found that even short exposure time during cleanup can cause irritation.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains. Spills in poorly drained labs or near water systems quickly turn into contamination concerns.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with sand, vermiculite, or an inert material. Shovel collected material into airtight containers. Scrub small residues using non-combustible absorbents, followed by adequate washing of affected surfaces.
Handling: Open containers inside fume hoods. Avoid inhaling vapors or contact with skin and eyes. Long sleeves and splash goggles see daily use by prudent lab workers.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers under inert gas in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot. Keep away from sources of ignition, oxidizers, and acids. Spills sometimes sit unnoticed in storage areas, where poor ventilation traps noxious vapors. Well-labeled bottles reduce unnecessary confusion.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, water, and strong acids.
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods and local exhaust ventilation play a major part in everyday safety. Air sampling to monitor vapor levels helps track cumulative exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, nitrile gloves, lab coat, and closed-toe shoes. Longer chemical projects sometimes rely on respiratory protection with organic vapor cartridges. Frequent breaks from at-bench handling help reduce accidental splashes or oversights.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific regulatory limit set for dimethylchloroacetal by OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH. Control is based on general solvent vapor guidelines.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mildly sweet, pungent
Boiling Point: Approximately 110-114°C
Flash Point: 17°C (closed cup, typical of low molecular weight ethers and acetals)
Solubility: Limited solubility in water; mixes completely with many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature, contributing to rapid volatilization
Density: About 1.03 g/cm³
Stability: Light and air degrade product slowly, so ideal storage keeps containers tightly sealed, away from heat and sparks.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage; reacts slowly with air and moisture. Over time, bottles develop minor residues or discoloration.
Reactivity: Reacts with acids, producing toxic and corrosive byproducts such as hydrochloric acid. Many lab fires trace their origins to carelessness with incompatible chemicals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon oxides given extreme heating.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid heat, light, sparks, open flames, and contact with moisture or oxidizing agents.
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation leads to respiratory irritation and headaches; high doses cause drowsiness or unconsciousness. Eye and skin contact triggers burning and redness.
Chronic Effects: Chronic health data remains poorly characterized, but cautious workers avoid repeat exposure, given solvents in this class often cause skin drying, dermatitis, or even impacts to liver health after heavy use.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, eye contact, ingestion.
Symptoms of Overexposure: Coughing, eye watering, skin redness, headache, nausea.
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms; spillage into waterways presents a real hazard to fish and invertebrates.
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in soil and water, particularly under low-oxygen conditions.
Bioaccumulation: Potential for bioaccumulation remains low based on molecular weight, yet breakdown products occasionally present greater risks.
Mobility in Soil: Moderate volatility and water insolubility lets chemical infiltrate soils or evaporate after surface release.
Disposal Methods: Hazardous waste incineration by licensed waste firms forms the preferred route. Poured-down-the-drain disposal risks environmental contamination, so labs use disposal bottles marked for chlorinated organics. Lab washdowns and glassware cleaning also require careful collection of residues.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly and send for specialized handling. Staff experienced with solvent disposal emphasize the value of making each bottle count, reducing unnecessary leftovers.
UN Number: 3271
Proper Shipping Name: Ethers, N.O.S. (includes Dimethylchloroacetal)
Hazard Class: 3 - Flammable liquid
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Special Precautions: Secure packaging required; keep away from oxidizers, acids, and foodstuffs. Leaky jugs or dropped cartons quickly sour transport, with fumes and fire risk forcing quick responses from trained couriers.
Labeling Requirements: Regulatory agencies require clear hazard statements for flammable and irritating chemicals. Countries under GHS include pictograms for flame and exclamation.
Restrictions: Industrial use in supervised settings dominates. Safety data must remain available to all users, with mandatory training for those handling this class.
Other Requirements: Regular hazard communication and inspections support sustainable practices. Prudent managers keep close watch on chemical stocks, proper record-keeping, and safe work habits.
