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Chemical Name: Hexanoyl Chloride
Other Names: Caproyl chloride
CAS Number: 638-29-9
Recommended Uses: Often picked for organic synthesis and the production of pharmaceuticals or agrochemicals, this compound finds its way into labs and some niche manufacturing processes. Hexanoyl chloride’s pungent, sharp odor gives it away in any workspace, and it looks like a colorless to pale yellow liquid, which doesn’t make it stand out much on the shelf. That’s exactly why labeling matters, no matter how busy things get.
Classification: Serious health and environmental risks surround hexanoyl chloride. Breathing in its vapors or letting it touch skin or eyes leads to burns and possible damage to lungs or eyes, depending on how much contact happens. As a corrosive material, it poses a bigger risk if spilled or mishandled, eating through clothing, tissue, and surfaces. Inhalation causes coughing, shortness of breath, or worse if left unchecked.
Pictograms: Corrosive and acute toxicity markings are most relevant for this chemical, each serving as a strong warning.
Signal Word: Danger.
Hazard Statements: Skin, eye, and respiratory irritation quickly occur. Symptoms get more severe with greater exposure. No one wants to deal with chemical burns, so personal awareness goes a long way.
Substance: Hexanoyl chloride
Purity: Usually comes as a single chemical but small traces of hydrochloric acid may form if moisture is nearby. There are no major additives, so what’s on the label is often what’s in the bottle. Handling the pure form is the challenge.
Inhalation: Move outside quickly if fumes get too strong. Breathing in fresh air often makes a difference, and anyone who feels faint, wheezy, or dizzy should see a doctor.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing fast and rinse skin with plenty of water. Soap helps, but time matters even more, since the longer hexanoyl chloride sits on skin, the worse the burn.
Eye Contact: Rinse with clean water for many minutes, holding eyelids open. Don’t rub eyes, since this increases irritation. Go see an eye doctor following direct exposure.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, but avoid inducing vomiting. Medical attention can’t be skipped for accidental swallowing. The burning sensation in the mouth or throat will be obvious in most cases.
Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide stands as the best choice. Water sprays should only cool containers, since direct water use often puts responders at risk of corrosive hydrochloric acid fumes.
Specific Hazards: Fires involving hexanoyl chloride quickly turn dangerous with toxic fumes like hydrogen chloride and phosgene. Staying upwind of smoke and fumes and using a self-contained breathing apparatus keeps first responders safer.
Special Protective Equipment: Full chemical-resistant gear, including face and skin protection, is non-negotiable for those facing burning vats or spills.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel and put on chemical splash goggles, gloves, and a respirator. Any contact with eyes, skin, or lungs can bring immediate harm.
Environmental Precautions: Spilled hexanoyl chloride shouldn’t reach drains, water sources, or the soil, since the damage spreads fast. Air and water react with it to release hydrochloric acid fumes.
Cleanup Methods: Use inert material like dry sand to absorb spills and scoop it into secure waste containers. Ventilating the area cuts down fume accumulation. Avoiding water prevents added risks from acute acid vapor production.
Precautions for Safe Handling: Working in a fume hood feels non-negotiable here, since even a whiff from an open container can sting the eyes and nose. Gloves, splash goggles, and lab coats help but don’t replace proper training and procedure awareness.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, labeled containers out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, alcohols, bases, and oxidizers. Keep well away from any food areas or general traffic zones.
Incompatible Materials: Hexanoyl chloride doesn’t get along with water, amines, strong oxidizers, bases, or alcohols—the result is usually hot, corrosive, and potentially violent.
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hoods and local exhaust ventilation keep hexanoyl chloride’s fumes from building up in enclosed areas. Without them, personal comfort and health take a back seat fast.
Personal Protective Equipment: Splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), and lab coats form the basic defense. If spills or lots of fumes seem likely, a full-face shield and a suitable respirator give critical added protection.
Hygiene Measures: Washing hands after handling and leaving contaminated clothing at work keep residues from following workers home.
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sharp, pungent
Molecular Weight: 134.59 g/mol
Boiling Point: Around 167°C
Density: Approximately 0.95 g/cm³
Solubility: Reacts vigorously with water, releasing heat and corrosive gases
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature, which means fumes build up easily without working ventilation.
Flash Point: No specific low value, but vapors ignite under certain conditions.
Chemical Stability: Pure hexanoyl chloride remains stable in dry, sealed containers. The moment moisture enters the picture, rapid hydrolysis kicks off, splitting it into hexanoic acid and hydrochloric acid gas.
Conditions to Avoid: High humidity, water contact, strong oxidizers, bases, and exposure to light or heat.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrochloric acid and phosgene cause trouble if fires or reactions go uncontrolled.
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion
Acute Effects: Severe irritation or burns show up quickly after skin or eye contact. Inhalation can inflame airways and lungs, often causing a burning throat and breathing difficulty.
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure increases the risk of ongoing skin, eye, or respiratory problems, including long-term chemical burns or chronic bronchitis.
Sensitization: Some people become more sensitive after repeated exposure, making subsequent reactions stronger.
Aquatic Toxicity: This compound’s interaction with water and release of hydrochloric acid can seriously impact fish and other aquatic life, reducing oxygen content and increasing acidity.
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly, but the byproducts (hydrochloric acid, hexanoic acid) themselves can still cause environmental harm in high concentrations.
Potential for Bioaccumulation: Not known for lingering in living tissues, though secondary effects from acidification or local toxicity matter.
Waste Treatment: Treating waste as hazardous means labeling, secure packaging, and handing over to a chemical approved disposal service. Flushing down the drain spreads contamination and quickly damages municipal systems.
Container Disposal: Empty containers need thorough triple rinsing with an appropriate neutralizing agent. Containers stay dangerous until fully decontaminated.
UN Number: 3265
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III
Transport Conditions: Tight, leak-proof containers, kept upright and protected from sunlight or water contact. Clear hazard labels and documentation help shippers and drivers manage emergencies along the route.
OSHA Classification: Corrosive, strongly regulated in most industrial, educational, and research settings to limit exposure.
EPA Status: Hazardous waste due to corrosivity and potential for environmental harm
Workplace Rules: Workers need regular training, proper ventilation, and access to eye washes and safety showers. Storage, handling, and disposal all fall under strict site policies, demanding regular documentation and checks.
