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Chemical Name: N-Octanoic Acid
Common Name: Caprylic Acid
Chemical Formula: C8H16O2
Synonyms: Octanoic acid
CAS Number: 124-07-2
Classification: Irritant to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
Sensitivity: Can cause burns with prolonged or repeated contact
Inhalation: Breathing high concentrations can irritate nose, throat, and lungs
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life at significant concentrations
Emergency Overview: Corrosive liquid or solid with a distinct, unpleasant odor
Main Ingredient: Octanoic acid at pure or near-pure concentrations
Impurities: Trace levels of other fatty acids depending on production process
Form: Oily liquid under standard conditions
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention if large amounts are swallowed
Flammability: May burn but not easy to ignite at room temperature
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical powder, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
Combustion Hazards: Pungent smoke and irritating fumes may form
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid exposure to fumes
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, eye protection, and avoid skin contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering streams, sewers, or soil
Containment: Dike with non-combustible material, soak up with inert absorbents like sand or earth
Cleanup: Collect as much as possible with suitable tools, ventilate area, dispose of in accordance with local laws
Safe Handling: Always use in a well-ventilated area, avoid contact with skin and eyes, use personal protective equipment
Storage Conditions: Keep in tightly closed containers, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place
Storage Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong bases, metals that react with acids
Spill Prevention: Regular inspection of storage area, ensure containers are labeled and in good condition
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or work in fume hood to keep airborne concentrations low
Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective goggles, clothing that reduces skin contact
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke near the product, dispose of contaminated clothing properly
Occupational Limits: No established workplace exposure limits for N-Octanoic Acid in most jurisdictions, but limit exposure as a precaution
Appearance: Clear to yellowish oily liquid
Odor: Sharp, unpleasant, rancid-like
pH: Acidic
Melting Point: Around 16.3 °C (61.3 °F)
Boiling Point: About 239.7 °C (463.5 °F)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in alcohols and ethers
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Specific Gravity: Roughly 0.91 at 20°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions if kept away from strong oxidizers and bases
Incompatible Materials: Avoid strong oxidizers, strong bases, reducing agents, some metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Irritating fumes and gases such as carbon oxides released during combustion or strong heating
Polymerization: Not expected to undergo hazardous polymerization
Acutely Toxic: Low oral and dermal toxicity, but can damage mucous membranes
Irritation: Eye and skin irritation likely with direct contact
Sensitization: Not known to cause allergic skin reactions
Symptoms of Overexposure: Redness, burns, coughing if inhaled, nausea if swallowed
Chronic Exposure: Repeated exposure may cause persistent skin and eye irritation
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and aquatic plants at higher concentrations
Persistence: Biodegradable over time in soil and water
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up significantly, but runoff should be controlled
Mobility: Can move through soil to water bodies if spilled, especially with heavy rainfall
Appropriate Methods: Incinerate under controlled conditions if permitted, or landfilling following solidification
Precautions: Avoid drainage to surface water, use licensed disposal contractors
Container Disposal: Containers must be triple-rinsed, punctured, and discarded according to regulations
Legislation: Follow local, regional, and national regulations on chemical and hazardous waste
Transport Status: May be regulated as a corrosive or irritant liquid depending on quantity and concentration
Packaging: Use tightly sealed, chemical-resistant containers, with clear hazard labeling
Handling Risks: Spillage during transport can cause irritation and environmental risk
Other Notes: Always refer to updated transportation regulations for specific region or country
Regulatory Classification: Listed under chemical safety and workplace hazard standards in many regions
Labeling Requirements: Must include hazard pictograms, signal words, and risk statements
Community Right to Know: Information on risks and precautions must be accessible to workers and users
Compliance: Ensure use, storage, and disposal align with national and international standards for hazardous chemicals
