Chemical Properties
colourless liquid
Uses
manufacture of resins; in organic synthesis as the diene in the Diels-Alder reaction producing sesquiterpenes, synthetic alkaloids, camphors.
General Description
1,3-Cyclopentadiene is a colorless liquid with an irritating, terpene-like odor. Bp: 42.5°C; Flash point: 77°F. Density: 0.805 g cm-3.
Reactivity Profile
1,3-Cyclopentadiene is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. Ignites on contact with oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3). Explodes on contact with fuming nitric acid or a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitrogen tetroxide. Reacts vigorously on contact with potassium hydroxide and other strong bases. Mixtures with air are explosive. Presents a moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Decomposes violently at high temperature and pressure. May form explosive peroxides in storage. Undergoes a spontaneous dimerization at room temperature to give DI1,3-Cyclopentadiene (C10H12, CAS No: 77-73-6), which is a low-melting solid (melting point: 32.5°C). The reaction is strongly exothermic (Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, p. 360 (1987)), but occurs sufficiently slowly that 1,3-Cyclopentadiene can be said to be stable at room temperature. The dimerization accounts for the partial or complete solidification of liquid 1,3-Cyclopentadiene in storage. Polymerization occurs more rapidly and extensively at higher temperatures. When heated to 180-200°C, 1,3-Cyclopentadiene gives poly1,3-Cyclopentadiene, a white waxy solid. Stronger heating breaks down poly1,3-Cyclopentadiene and re-generates the monomeric 1,3-Cyclopentadiene as a vapor. The vapor decomposes violently at higher temperatures and pressures.
Potential Exposure
Cyclopentadiene is used as an inter-
mediate in the manufacture of resins, insecticides, fungi-
cides, and other chemicals.
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, includ-
ing 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 medi-
cal attention. Do NOT induce vomiting.
Shipping
UN1993 Flammable liquids, n.o.s., Hazard
Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid, Technical Name
Required.
Incompatibilities
Vapors may form explosive mixture with
air. Converted (dimerized) to higher-boiling dicyclopenta-
diene upon standing in air and @ 32
F/0
C; this conversion
may be violent and exothermic; this reaction is accelerated
by peroxides or trichloroacetic acid. Reacts violently with
potassium hydroxide. Violent reaction with strong oxidi-
zers; strong acids; dinitrogen tetroxide; magnesium.
Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides,
permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine,
etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away
from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoa-
cids, epoxides, alkaline earth metals, nitrogen oxides. May
accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition
of its vapors.
Description
Cyclopentadiene is a flammable, colorless liquid with a sweet odor, like turpentine. Molecularweight=66.10; Specific gravity (H2O:1): 0.8; Boilingpoint=42.℃; Freezing/Melting point=285℃; Vaporpressure=400 mmHg at 20℃; Flash point=25℃ (oc);Autoignition temperature=640℃. Insoluble in water.
Waste Disposal
Dissolve or mix the material
with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinera-
tor equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal,
state, and local environmental regulations must be
observed.
Physical properties
Colorless liquid with a turpentine-like odor. Odor threshold concentration is 1.9 ppm (quoted,
Amoore and Hautala, 1983).
Definition
A cyclic hydrocarbon made by
cracking petroleum. The molecules have a
five-membered ring containing two carbon-
carbon double bonds and one CH2
group. It forms the negative cyclopentadienyl
ionC5H5-, present in sandwich compounds,
such as ferrocene.
Definition
cyclopentadiene: A colourless liquidcyclic alkene,C5H6; r.d. 0.8021;m.p. –97.2°C; b.p. 40.0°C. It is preparedas a by-product during the fractionaldistillation of crude benzenefrom coal tar. It undergoes condensationreactions with ketones to givehighly coloured compounds (fulvenes)and readily undergoes polymerizationat room temperature togive the dimer, dicyclopentadiene.Cyclopentadiene itself is not an aromaticcompound because it does nothave the required number of pi electrons.However, removal of a hydrogenatom produces the stablecyclopentadienyl ion,C5H5-, whichdoes have aromatic properties. Inparticular, the ring can coordinate topositive ions in such compounds asferrocene.
Production Methods
This compound occurs in the C6–C8 petroleum distillation
fraction, and in coke oven light oil fractions. It is
produced by dehydrogenation of cyclopentadiene or monomerization
of its dimer.
Health Hazard
Cyclopentadiene exhibited low toxicity inanimals. Inhalation produced irritation of theeyes and nose. A 3-mL amount injected subcutaneouslyinto rabbits resulted in narcosis,convulsions, and death (von Oettingen 1940).A dose of≤ 1 mL was nontoxic. Repeatedexposure to 500 ppm caused liver and kidneyinjuries in rats; but longer repeated exposuresto 250 ppm produced no such effects in testanimals (ACGIH 1986). An oral LD50 valuein rats for the dimeric form has been recordedas 820 mg/kg (Smyth 1954).
Fire Hazard
Flammable liquid; flash point (open cup)
32°C (90°F); fire- extinguishing agent: dry
chemical, foam, or CO2; a water spray
may be used to cool the surroundings. Prolonged
exposure to air may cause peroxide
formation.
Synthesis
The cyclopentadiene is prepared by the thermal cracking of dicyclopentadiene.
Environmental Fate
Biological. Cyclopentadiene may be oxidized by microbes to cyclopentanone (Dugan, 1972).
Chemical/Physical. Dimerizes to dicyclopentadiene on standing (Windholz et al., 1983).
storage
Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store ina flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet awayfrom ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials.May form peroxides in storage. Prior to working withcyclopentadiene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. Cyclopentadiene must be stored to avoidcontact with strong oxidizing agents because violent reactions occur. Cyclopentadiene must be stored at temperaturesbelow 0℃ or it may undergo an explosive chemical reaction. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames,are prohibited where cyclopentadiene is used, handled, orstored in a manner that could create a potential fire orexplosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer ofthis chemical should be grounded and bonded. Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums or other storagecontainers to process containers. Drums must be equippedwith self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flamearresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of this chemical. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames,are prohibited where this chemical is used, handled, orstored in a manner that could create a potential fire orexplosion hazard. Wherever this chemical is used, handled,manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electricalequipment and fittings.
Purification Methods
Dry the diene with Mg(ClO4)2 and distil it rapidly as it dimerises readily at room temperature. It should be used immediately or stored in a Dry Ice or an ice-salt bath. HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. [Moffett Org Synth Coll Vol IV 238 1963.] Cyclopentadiene Dimer (4,7-methano-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydroindene) has [77-73-6], M 132.3, m 33o, b 170o/atm, and d2 5 0.986; add ~0.05% of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol as stabilizer. Cyclopentadiene is prepared when required by de-polymerising the technical grade dimer by heating it carefully under a fractionating column [Wilkinson Org Synth Coll Vol IV 467 1963], as described by Moffett (above reference), or by adding the dimer at a steady rate onto mineral oil heated at 240-270o (Korach et al. Org Synth 42 50 1962). [Beilstein 5 II 391.]