General Description
A colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 66°F. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Vapors are heavier than air. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short exposure to high concentrations may have adverse health effects from inhalation.
Reactivity Profile
ETHYL CHLOROFORMATE(541-41-3) decomposes slowly in water to form ethanol, HCl, and CO2 Attacks many metals especially in humid atmosphere [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 476]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Emits fumes containing HCl on contact with moist air. Decomposes exothermically but slowly in water.
Hazard
Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Strong irritant to eyes and skin.
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes mucous membrane irritation, coughing, and sneezing. Vapor causes severe lachrymation; liquid causes acid-type burns of eyes and skin, like those of hydrochloric acid. Ingestion causes severe burns of mouth and stomach.
Potential Exposure
Heavily used in industry for various
processes; in ore processing, photography, making other
chemicals including amines, carbamates, isocyanates; polymers, diethyl carbonate; nitriles, etc.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic chlorine and phosgene gases may be formed in fires.
First aid
Inhalation: remove to fresh air; use artificial respiration if breathing has stopped; call a doctor; keep victim
quiet and administer oxygen if needed. Eyes: flush with
water for at least 15 min.; see a doctor. Skin: wash liberally
with water for at least 15 min., then apply dilute solution of
sodium bicarbonate or commercially prepared neutralizer.
Ingestion: do NOT induce vomiting; give large amount of
water; get medical attention
Shipping
UN1182 Ethyl chloroformate, Hazard class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard, 3-Flammable liquid,
8-Corrosive material Inhalation Hazard Zone B
Incompatibilities
Highly flammable; Vapors may form
explosive mixture with air. Emits fumes containing HCl on
contact with moist air. Decomposes exothermically but
slowly in water. Ethyl chloroformate decomposes slowly in
water forming ethanol, hydrogen chloride and carbon dioxide. May react vigorously, possibly explosively, if mixed
with di-isopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of
trace amounts of metal salts. Reacts with acids, alkalies,
amines, alcohols, oxidizers and water. Corrosive to metals
especially in the presence of moisture.
Chemical Properties
Ethyl chloroformate is a colorless to light yellow liquid that is corrosive and flammable. It is prepared from phosgene and ethanol. It has a sharp pungent odor, like hydrochloric acid, and it decomposes in water. It is miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, and ether.
Waste Disposal
Use a licensed professional
waste disposal service to dispose of this material. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be
observed. Consult with environmental regulatory agencies
for guidance on acceptable disposal practices
Uses
Ethyl chloroformate (chloroformic acid ethyl ester) is used as a solvent in the photographic industry, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of various carbamates, and used in synthesis of dyes, drugs, veterinary medicines, herbicides, and insecticides. It is also used in the production of flotation agents for ores, as a stabilizer for PVC, and in the production of modified penicillins and heterocyclic compounds (Gerhartz, 1985).
Cathyl Chloride is used in the preparation of new inhibitors for β-homocysteine S-methyltransferase. Also used in the synthesis of a hexosaminidase inhibitor.
Preparation
Ethyl chloroformate was used in the synthesis of nitrile oxides. It can be obtained synthetically by the reaction between phosgene and anhydrous ethanol.
Ethyl chloroformate is chlorinated in the rectifying zone of a distillation reactor to produce 1-chloroethyl chloroformate and 2-chloroethyl chloroformate.
Flammability and Explosibility
Highlyflammable
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water: Slow reaction with water, evolving hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid); Reactivity with Common Materials: Slow evolution of hydrogen chloride from surface moisture reaction can cause slow corrosion; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Flush with water, rinse with sodium bicarbonate or lime solution; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Purification Methods
Wash the ester several times with water, redistil it using an efficient fractionating column at atmospheric pressure and a CaCl2 guard tube to keep free from moisture [Hamilton & Sly J Am Chem Soc 47 435 1925, Saunders et al. J Am Chem Soc 73 3796 1951]. [Beilstein 3 IV 23.] LACHRYMATORY AND TOXIC.
