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Chemical name: Trimethylacetyl chloride
Synonyms: Pivaloyl chloride
CAS number: 3282-30-2
Form: Usually encountered as a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid
Odor: Pungent, sharply irritating
Intended use: Employed as an intermediate in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals
Physical state at room temperature: Liquid
Solubility: Reacts violently with water
Main hazards: Highly corrosive to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; releases toxic gases upon contact with water
Health impacts: Severe burns on contact, can cause permanent eye damage; inhaling fumes or vapor leads to intense respiratory irritation and may trigger pulmonary edema; ingestion considered highly dangerous with an immediate threat to life
Fire risks: Vapors heavier than air, can travel and ignite away from the source; reacts strongly with water, producing hydrogen chloride and other toxic gases
Environmental risk: Dangerous to aquatic organisms, especially if spilled into waterways, and the hydrolyzed product acidifies water
Regulatory status: Controlled due to corrosive and reactive properties, not suitable for consumer use
Active substance: Trimethylacetyl chloride (up to 100%)
Other components: Product often available undiluted; trace impurities from manufacturing possible but rarely specified unless above threshold levels
Molecular formula: C5H9ClO
Molecular weight: 120.58 g/mol
Allergen/declaration issues: No significant food or consumer-contact concerns
Eye contact: Immediate, thorough water flushing for at least 15 minutes; medical attention unavoidable, as damage can be irreversible
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin immediately with running water; seek emergency care due to likelihood of chemical burns
Inhalation: Remove from exposure to fresh air as soon as possible; urgent medical evaluation required for respiratory symptoms; oxygen and respiratory support often needed
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth and drink water if responsive, but priority is rapid transport to emergency care since burns and systemic toxicity are expected
Precautions for responders: Protective gloves, glasses, and respiratory equipment necessary during rescue; contaminated clothing requires safe disposal after handling
Suitable extinguishing agents: Dry chemical or carbon dioxide preferred; water only as fog, never direct stream, due to violent reaction and hydrogen chloride gas release
Special hazards in fire: Thermal decomposition generates hydrogen chloride gas along with phosgene and other corrosive byproducts, adding danger for first responders
Protective equipment: Full body suit, self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant boots and gloves
General advice: Isolate area and avoid exposure to smoke; run-off from fire control can pollute waterways with persistent acids
Personal precautions: Evacuate area beyond immediate vicinity, ventilate, use full protective clothing with goggles and respirator; restrict unprotected access
Containment: Sand or inert absorbent for small spills; enclose and ventilate; never use water directly as corrosive gases are generated and spill can become uncontrollable
Cleanup: Carefully collect spilled material using non-metal tools; place in sealed chemical waste container, decontaminate area after removal
Environmental precautions: Prevent entry into drains or watercourses; local environmental or chemical safety office must be notified at significant volumes
Handling: Well-designed fume hood required; airtight transfer with non-reactive tools; operators must wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, and impervious clothing; avoid inhalation or skin exposure at all stages
Storage conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated spot, away from sources of water, moisture, direct sunlight, acids, and bases
Packaging: High-integrity container with corrosion-resistant lining, tightly closed and labeled; secondary containment for leak management
Incompatibilities: Water, alcohols, amines, strong oxidizers, and bases all trigger violent or exothermic reactions
Occupational exposure limits: No established standard in many jurisdictions; best practice is minimizing exposure as much as possible
Engineering controls: Precision fume extraction, emergency showers and eyewash stations close to working area, leak detection recommended
Eye protection: Tight-fitting chemical goggles, face shield
Skin protection: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, chemically resistant suit with closed seams
Respiratory protection: Supplied air respirators or self-contained breathing equipment necessary where vapor likely present
Other precautions: Remove contaminated clothing immediately and launder before reuse; routine inspections for leaks inside storage and laboratory spaces
Appearance: Clear, colorless to yellowish liquid
Smell: Sharp, harsh, similar to acid chlorides
Boiling point: Around 106°C for pure compound
Melting point: Near -47°C
Density: 0.96–0.98 g/cm³
Reactivity: Hydrolyzes rapidly in humid air, forming hydrogen chloride and pivalic acid
Chemical stability: Remains stable only when dry, tightly sealed, protected from heat and light
Incompatible substances: Reacts explosively with water; incompatible with alcohols, amines, strong bases, oxidizers; generates toxic fumes upon decomposition
Decomposition products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, pivalic acid, and possibly carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide under fire conditions
Acute toxicity: Causes severe corrosive damage to mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and other contact points; medium- to high-level inhalation can lead to lung damage and death
Chronic toxicity: Extended or repeated exposure likely causes dermatitis and chronic respiratory problems
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as known or probable human carcinogen, though hydrochloric acid fumes from hydrolysis are hazardous
Other risks: Immediate tissue destruction and risk of life-threatening chemical pneumonia upon inhalation; risk heightened for those with respiratory issues
Aquatic impact: Hydrolysis creates acidification that is hazardous to aquatic ecosystems at low levels
Toxicity to organisms: Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates, both through direct exposure and pH shifts
Persistence: Does not persist in environment as original compound but its acidic breakdown products remain for extended periods
Bioaccumulation: Not significant owing to rapid breakdown, but effect of resultant pivalic acid and HCl can be severe locally
Waste treatment: Require neutralization in controlled setting; reaction must occur in strong alkaline solution with careful temperature control, under exhaust ventilation
Container disposal: Dispose of emptied and decontaminated containers as hazardous waste under relevant local regulations
Regulation: Handled at authorized chemical waste processing facilities; household or drain disposal strictly forbidden
Hazard class: Classified as dangerous goods for all modes of transport; corrosive label required
Packing group: III, or stricter based on national nuances
Special handling during transit: Keep upright, isolated from water sources; must travel in compatible, confined packaging with spill control measures
Incident management: Immediate notification necessary in event of leak or container damage, emergency protocol strictly enforced in most jurisdictions
Control status: Restricted for industrial, laboratory, and manufacturing uses only
Labeling: Corrosive, toxic, environmental hazard pictograms and signal words mandated
SDS requirements: Employers must provide staff with full, up-to-date safety training and open access to detailed safety data
Relevant legal framework: Falls under globally harmonized systems and direct chemical control statutes in many countries, often with emergency notification requirements
