General Description
A colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Vapors heavier than air. Less dense than water. May irritate skin and eyes, and be narcotic in high concentrations. A fire and explosion risk. Used to make other chemicals.
Reactivity Profile
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as 2-CHLOROPROPANE(75-29-6), are moderately or very reactive. Reactivity generally decreases with increased degree of substitution of halogen for hydrogen atoms. Low molecular weight haloalkanes are highly flammable and can react with some metals to form dangerous products. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.
Hazard
Highly flammable, fire and explosion risk,
explosive limits in air 2.8–10.7%.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Fire hazard: Highly dangerous; when exposed to heat, flame or oxidizers. Explosion hazard: Moderate when exposed to heat or flame.
Fire Hazard
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Chemical Properties
Colourless liquid
Purification Methods
Purify the chloride with 95% H2SO4 as described for isopropyl bromide, then dry with MgSO4, P2O5 or CaH2, and fractionally distil it from Na2CO3 or CaH2. Alternatively, a stream of oxygen containing ca 5% ozone is passed through the chloride for about three times as long as is necessary to obtain the first coloration of starch iodide paper by the exit gas, and the liquid is then washed with NaHCO3 solution to hydrolyse ozonides and remove organic acids before drying and distilling. [Beilstein 1 IV 191.]
