General Description
ETHYLENE CHLOROHYDRIN(107-07-3) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. ETHYLENE CHLOROHYDRIN(107-07-3) is soluble in water and is also a combustible liquid. Its vapors are heavier than air and ETHYLENE CHLOROHYDRIN(107-07-3) is very toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects.
Reactivity Profile
Mixing ethylene chlorohydrin in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, ethylene diamine, and sodium hydroxide, [NFPA 1991]. Ethylenediamine reacts violently with ethylene chlorohydrin. (Lewis, R.J., Sr. 1992. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, 8th Edition. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. pp. 1554.).
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. ETHYLENE CHLOROHYDRIN is soluble in water.
Hazard
Deadly via ingestion, inhalation, and skin
absorption; strong irritant, penetrates ordinary rubber gloves and protective clothing. Moderate fire
hazard. Questionable carcinogen.
Health Hazard
Very toxic; probable oral lethal dose in humans is 50-500 mg/kg or between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. Poisoning causes liver and kidney degeneration and irritates mucous membranes; it may be cumulative. Several fatal cases with brain edema and lung edema have been reported from industrial exposure by inhalation and skin contact. It is more toxic by skin contact than orally.
Potential Exposure
Ethylene chlorohydrin is used as a solvent and emulsifier; in the synthesis of ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, amines, carbitols, indigo, malonic acid,
novocaine, and in other reactions where the hydroxyethyl
group is introduced into organic compounds; for the separation of butadiene from hydrocarbon mixtures; in dewaxing
and removing cycloalkanes from mineral oil; in the refining
of rosin; in the manufacture of certain pesticides and in the
extraction of pine lignin. In the lacquer industry, it is used
as a solvent for cellulose acetate, cellulose esters, resins and
waxes; and in the dyeing and cleaning industry, it is used to
remove tar spots; as a cleaning agent for machines; and as a
solvent in fabric dyeing. It has also found use in agriculture
in speeding up sprouting of potatoes and in treating seeds to
inhibit biological activity. Making chemical warfare agents
Fire Hazard
ETHYLENE CHLOROHYDRIN decomposition products will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes of phosgene and hydrogen chloride. Vapors are heavier than air and may flash back to a source of ignition.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours
after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be
delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or
authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or
other inhalation therapy.
Shipping
UN1135 Ethylene chlorohydrin, Hazard class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard, 3-Flammable
liquid, Inhalation Hazard Zone B
Incompatibilities
May form explosive mixture with air.
Strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions.
Incompatible with strong caustics (formation of ethylene
gas), strong acids; alkaline metals; aliphatic amines; isocyanates. Violent reaction with ethylene diamine, chlorosulfonic acid. Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings. Reacts
with water or steam producing toxic and corrosive fumes
Chemical Properties
2-Chloroethanol is a colorless liquid with a faint, ethereal odor and is miscible with water. Among the halogenated alcohols, ethylene chlorohydrin is the most prominent, along with the chloropropanols.
Waste Disposal
Incineration, preferably after
mixing with another combustible fuel. Care must be exercised to assure complete combustion to prevent the formation of phosgene. An acid scrubber is necessary to remove
the halo acids produced.
Physical properties
Colorless liquid with a faint, ether-like odor. Odor threshold concentration is 400 ppb (quoted,
Keith and Walters, 1992).
Uses
2-Chloroethanol, is used in the preparation of TTFTT (tetrathiafulvalene-2,3,6,7-tetrathiolate) and important building block in TTF syntheis. In addition, it is used in the synthesis of vinyltriazoles. This is the labeled analog.
Uses
Ethylene chlorohydrin (CH2Cl-CH2-OH; 2-Chloroethanol) is used for its special solvent properties. It is a chemical intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol and, in the past, ethylene oxide. This alcohol is used in the manufacturing of insecticides and as a cleaning agent for machines. Indirect exposure can result from release as a by-product in applications involving ethylene oxide and its accumulation in some foodstuffs as a result of sterilization or packaging.
Uses
Ethylene chlorohydrin is used in the manufacture of insecticides, as a solvent for cellu lose esters, in treating sweet potatoes beforeplanting (Merck 1989), and in making ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide. Exposurerisks to this compound may arise when itis formed from ethylene oxide during thesterilization of grain and spices, drugs, andsurgical supplies. The compound was used inthe past in hastening grape vine sprouting.
Definition
ChEBI: A chloroethanol carrying a chloro substituent at position 2.
Production Methods
2-Chloroethanol is manufactured by the reaction of ethylene
gas with dilute hydrochlorous acid. The principal use of
2-chloroethanol was formerly in producing ethylene oxide,
in which ethylene was reacted with hypochlorous acid.
However, the current production of ethylene oxide does
not use this procedure. Facilities for ethylene chlorohydrin
have, in many cases, been converted to the production of
propylene chlorohydrin, the dehydrochlorination of which
yields propylene oxide.
Flammability and Explosibility
Flammable
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Carcinogenicity
No evidence of carcinogenicity was observed in rats that ingested doses of 4, 8, or 16 mg/kg
2-chloroethanol in drinking water for up to 2 years. The study
was not reported in detail, and small numbers of animals were
used. F344 rats were given subcutaneous injections
twice weekly at doses of 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg for 1 year,
followed by a 6-month observation period. An increased
incidence of pituitary gland adenomas was observed in
female rats; the incidence in the dosed female rats (all
doses combined) was 7/100 and the control incidence
was 1/50. 2-Chloroethanol was not carcinogenic in
NMRI mice given subcutaneous injections once weekly for
70 weeks at doses of 0.3, 1.0, or 3mg . In an NTP study,
2-chloroethanol was applied dermally to F344 rats and CD-1mice for 2 years, at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for rats and 7.5
and 15 mg per animal for mice. There was no evidence of
carcinogenicity.
Environmental Fate
Biological. Heukelekian and Rand (1955) reported a 10-d BOD value of 0.50 g/g which is
50.0% of the ThOD value of 1.00 g/g.
Chemical/Physical. Reacts with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solutions at 105 °C producing
ethylene glycol (Patnaik, 1992).
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Before entering confined space where this chemicalmay be present, check to make sure that an explosivecon-sources, and separated from strong oxidizers or caustics.Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, areprohibited where this chemical is used, handled, or stored ina manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons ormore of this chemical should be grounded and bonded.Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressurevacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparkingtools and equipment, especially when opening and closingcontainers of this chemical.centration does not exist. Keep in a cool, well-ventilated area, protected from physical damage, ignition
Purification Methods
Dry it with, then distil it from, CaSO4 in the presence of a little Na2CO3 to remove traces of acid. [Beilstein 1 IV 1372.]
