General Description
A straw colored fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 165°F. Vapors irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. Corrosive to metals and tissue.
Reactivity Profile
FUMARYL CHLORIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines and other bases. 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].
Hazard
Corrosive to eyes and skin.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Chemical Properties
Clear yellow liquid
Preparation
Fumaryl chloride has been prepared from fumaric acid and phthaloyl chloride, from maleic acid by the action of thionyl chloride in the presence of zinc chloride, and from maleic anhydride by the use of phthaloyl chloride in the presence of zinc chloride.
Org. Synth. 1940, 20, 51
DOI: 10.15227/orgsyn.020.0051
