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Chemical Name: 4-Methylvaleronitrile
Synonyms: 4-Methylpentanenitrile
Chemical Formula: C6H11N
CAS Number: 623-26-7
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sharp, characteristic odor typical for nitriles
Intended Use: Intermediate for chemical synthesis, research applications, not for food or drug use
Physical Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor, formation of hazardous vapors in closed, unventilated spaces
Health Hazards: Harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin; causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; may affect central nervous system and liver with prolonged or repeated exposure
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life, persistent in soil and water; potential for bioaccumulation
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), skin and eye irritant, specific target organ toxicity
Label Elements: Pictograms display flame, exclamation mark, and health hazard symbols; signal word “Warning”, and hazard statements listing flammability and toxicity concerns
Main Ingredient: 4-Methylvaleronitrile, purity often above 95 percent
Impurities: Possible trace amounts of related nitriles or hydrocarbons from synthesis process
Concentration: Dominated by the main component, with presence of less than five percent unidentified organic compounds
Relevant Regulations: Hazard categories mainly tied to the major compound; unknown impurities handled as part of overall hazard management practices
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, keep at rest and monitor for dizziness, cough, or shortness of breath; seek medical advice if symptoms develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water; pay attention to possible irritation or allergic reactions
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so; obtain professional advice if irritation persists
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting; rinse mouth, drink water if conscious, and consult poison control or emergency medical services
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for small fires; water spray for larger fires but avoid contamination run-off
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread fire or cause splattering
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases toxic fumes including hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons upon burning
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear; chemical-resistant equipment reduces exposure risk
Fire Behavior: Vapors are heavier than air, travel across surfaces, and may ignite at a distance from source
Personal Precautions: Ventilate affected area; wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and appropriate respiratory protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, soil, and waterways; use barriers or absorbents for containment
Method for Clean-up: Absorb using inert material such as sand or vermiculite, collect in labeled chemical waste containers; decontaminate affected surfaces
Disposal: Transfer collected material for proper chemical waste treatment; avoid flushing to sewer or uncontrolled locations
Handling: Always avoid inhaling vapors and getting liquid on skin or clothing; use only in well-ventilated areas, under local exhaust systems when possible
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; keep food and drinks away from work areas; do not smoke nearby
Storage: Keep container tightly closed, in a locked and well-ventilated place away from sources of ignition; store separate from acids, oxidizers, or food products
Temperature and Light: Store away from heat sources—high temperatures increase vapor pressure and risk
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hoods or mechanical ventilation to limit airborne concentrations
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators for organic vapors if exposure exceeds recommended limits
Skin Protection: Nitrile or neoprene gloves; long-sleeved clothing to prevent direct contact
Eye and Face Protection: Chemical splash goggles and, where necessary, face shields
Work Practices: Monitor air quality in confined spaces; install safety signage and accessible eyewash stations
State: Liquid at room temperature
Color: Clear to pale yellow
Odor: Characteristic, pungent
Boiling Point: Usually around 156–160°C
Melting Point: Value near -70°C
Flash Point: Approximate value of 45°C (closed cup); risk of flammable vapor in ambient conditions
Vapor Pressure: Moderate, posing inhalation risk, especially in closed environments
Solubility: Poorly soluble in water but mixes well with organic solvents such as ether or ethanol
Specific Gravity: Close to 0.8–0.9 (water = 1)
Chemical Stability: Generally stable under recommended storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, excessive heat, direct sunlight, strong oxidizing or acidic environments
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers; reaction with these increases risk of decomposition and hazardous byproducts
Hazardous Decomposition: Burning or uncontrolled release may generate hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides
Polymerization: No significant risk of hazardous polymerization under normal conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, respiratory irritation, potential cyanosis in severe cases due to metabolic conversion to more toxic compounds
Chronic Effects: Prolonged contact can lead to dermatitis or affect liver function; high doses possibly impair central nervous system
Sensitizing Effects: Skin exposure may result in allergic reactions in some individuals
Carcinogenicity: No known evidence for carcinogenic effects in scientific literature; limited data on long-term risk
Threshold Limits: No widely established workplace exposure limit; prudent to keep airborne concentration as low as reasonably achievable
Environmental Fate: Resistant to natural breakdown, tends to linger in water and soil
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and aquatic invertebrates; potential for disruption if spilled in natural bodies of water
Mobility: Can migrate through soil if released, creating persistent contamination
Bioaccumulation: May be taken up by aquatic organisms, risk amplifies with chronic exposure
Degradability: Low; may persist without active bioremediation strategies
Method of Disposal: Incinerate under controlled, permitted conditions in accordance with local regulations; for small quantities, contact licensed hazardous waste disposal services
Avoid: Direct release to waterways or municipal sewers; uncontrolled dumping or landfilling increases environmental and human health risks
Container Disposal: Empty packaging retains product residue; ensure proper decontamination or incineration as chemical waste
UN Number: Classified as hazardous under international transport regulations
Shipping Name: UN identified as toxic, flammable liquid, n.o.s. in many jurisdictions
Packing Group: II-III depending on amount and packaging method
Hazards During Transport: Flammable, toxic vapor; leaks present high risk during road, rail, or air carriage
Special Precautions: Mark containers with hazard labels; advise emergency services of risks during transit incidents
Workplace Regulations: Chemical hygiene standards recommend using engineering controls and PPE
Environmental Regulations: Reporting required for large releases; subject to hazardous substance management rules
Hazard Classification: Falls under regulations for flammable and acutely toxic substances in most countries
Disclosure Requirements: Safety Data Sheets must be made available at handling and storage locations
Community Right-to-Know: Relevant release and inventory reporting applies in some regions to monitor public health protections
