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Chemical Name: Tert-Butylamine
Synonyms: 2-Methyl-2-propanamine, t-Butylamine
CAS Number: 75-64-9
Physical Form: Clear, colorless liquid with a strong, ammonia-like odor
Common Uses: Building block in organic synthesis, especially for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, short-term corrosion inhibition, polymerization processes
Relevant Properties: Volatile, miscible with water and many organic solvents, flammable under normal laboratory and plant conditions
Hazard Class: Flammable liquids, Acute toxicity (inhalation, dermal, oral), Corrosive to skin and eyes
Pictogram Description: Flame, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, corrosion
Main Risks: Catches fire easily, generates toxic fumes such as nitrogen oxides under ignition, leads to respiratory and skin irritation, severe eye injury, and possible organ toxicity after repeated exposures
GHS Signal Word: Danger
Major Concerns: Inhalation burns airways, liquid burns skin, eyes can suffer permanent damage, inhaling vapor in poorly ventilated space triggers headaches and nausea fast; some cases of chemical pneumonitis have been seen by rescue crews in smaller spills
Main Ingredient: Tert-Butylamine, near 100% purity for most chemicals in lab use
Common Impurities: Trace amounts of water, tert-butanol, and less than 1% of tertiary butyl isocyanate in some preparations
Ingredient IDs: Regarded as hazardous above 1% of volume; most formulations avoid significant diluents to ensure predictable hazards
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air immediately, medical attention is a must if breathing problems appear, oxygen support in severe cases
Skin Contact: Strip off contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, non-occlusive dressings help with burns
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids open, flush eyes with water for at least 20 minutes, do not wait for a burning sensation to pass, see an ophthalmology professional after exposure
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never give fluids or induce vomiting to an unconscious person, get medical attention right away as aspiration risk is high
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jets can spread fire or cause splash burns
Fire Hazards: Forms explosive air-vapor mixtures at room temperature, heavier-than-air vapors settle in low spots and ignite with ignition sources; emits toxic nitrogen oxides, amines, and carbon monoxide when burned
Protective Equipment: Full turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus due to hazard vapors
Specific Guidance: Cool exposed containers, remove to safe areas if possible, contain any runoff water to avoid soil or water system contamination
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel, wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and respirator for cleanup crews
Spill Mitigation: Seal off area, remove all ignition sources, ventilate if safe, absorb spillage with inert material like sand or vermiculite, avoid direct contact
Environmental Protection: Prevent entry into drains, soil, or waterways; notify local agencies in case of significant release
Cleanup Approach: Scoop absorbed residue into safe containers, label and secure tightly for disposal by a licensed chemical waste contractor
Handling: Work in fume hood or well-ventilated room, no eating or smoking nearby, use spark-proof tools, ground and bond equipment for transfer to control static discharge; change gloves and wash thoroughly after handling
Storage: Store in flammable liquids cabinet, tightly closed in labeled metal or glass containers, keep away from oxidizers, acids, heat, direct sunlight, and ignition sources, monitor all storage areas for leaks regularly
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods or local exhaust to drop vapor concentrations below exposure limits; never count on nose alone to detect buildup as the odor threshold is usually higher than safe levels
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield as needed, gloves of nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber, flame-retardant lab coat, closed footwear with chemical resistance, NIOSH-approved respirator for high vapor zones or cleanup emergencies
Occupational Limits: OSHA PEL about 5 ppm as an 8-hr TWA; NIOSH REL similar, short-term tolerance rarely recommended above 10 ppm without management approval and extra air monitoring
Appearance: Clear, mobile colorless liquid
Odor: Sharp, ammonia-like
Boiling Point: Near 44°C (about 111°F)
Melting Point: -35°C
Flash Point: -7°C (closed cup); surprisingly low, ignites below room temperature
Vapor Pressure: Almost 330 mmHg at 25°C; high volatility means spills vaporize quickly
Solubility: Fully mixes with water and common organics
Density: About 0.69 g/mL at 20°C
Other Properties: Vapors heavier than air, leaves an oily residue on surfaces, attacks some plastics and rubber gaskets over time
Stability: Sits stable in closed containers under recommended conditions, decomposes rapidly near heat, strong acids, or oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Avoid mixing with acids, strong oxidizing agents, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, copper, brass, and some aluminum surfaces
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other toxic gases formed in fire or strong reactions
Hazardous Reactions: Can generate pressure in sealed containers, causes violent reactions with acids and oxidants
Acute Effects: Irritates respiratory tract severely, skin burns ranging from redness to blisters on contact, strong eye burns with risk of permanent damage, triggers nausea, dizziness, and headaches on inhalation at moderate levels
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure risks liver and kidney effects, recurring dermatitis, and potential respiratory sensitization
LD50 Values: Oral-rat: about 290 mg/kg, lower than many household chemicals; dermal and inhalation values indicate high risk at moderate levels
Carcinogenicity: No significant evidence in humans or standard animal models, but not enough long-term data for ultimate judgment
Other Notable Effects: Strong alkaline action damages moist membranes and tissues, reported cases of delayed pulmonary edema after severe inhalation
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life, kills fish and invertebrates in short exposures, causes algae die-off in streams
Degradability: Breaks down relatively quickly in sunlight and air, but large releases can overwhelm local bacterial populations and drop oxygen levels
Bioaccumulation: Does not tend to accumulate in animal tissue significantly, but runoff can damage aquatic food webs; not persistent in soil if diluted, can persist in dense spills
Other Environmental Effects: Migrates rapidly if spilled, amplifies eutrophication risks in lakes and ponds, reacts with chlorinated water to form hazardous byproducts
Waste Treatment: Collect residues and used absorbent solvents in closed, labeled drum for licensed incineration; small-scale lab drains not appropriate due to toxicity to treatment plant workers and aquatic life
Environmental Precautions: Never pour on ground, stormwater drains, or surface water; spills on porous surfaces need excavation and disposal of affected material
Regulatory Requirements: Waste classified as hazardous under both US federal and European regulations; treatment and transport handled as hazardous organic amine waste
Transport Classification: Regulated as a flammable liquid with toxic properties; UN 2733, proper shipping name “Tert-butylamine”
Packing Group: II, significant risk with improper packaging or accidental release
Labeling: Marked “Flammable Liquid” and “Toxic” under GHS and DOT guidelines
Transport Hazards: Leaks in closed compartments can trigger fires or explosions, well-ventilated containers reduce risk, international transport needs paperwork and inspection in most jurisdictions
OSHA: Listed as a hazardous chemical with specific workplace controls required for handling and reporting
EPA: Regulated as a hazardous substance for air, water, and land releases; accidental discharges must be reported under CERCLA
REACH: European authorities require detailed risk management and exposure assessments above one metric ton per year
Other Agencies: Transportation and workplace exposure subject to federal, state, and provincial rules in most developed nations, with severe penalties for improper storage, labeling, and disposal
