General Description
A yellow-colored liquid with an irritating pungent odor. Light sensitive, but stabilized with the addition of small amounts of water and/or calcium carbonate. Slightly soluble in water and denser than water. Vapors much heavier than air. Irritates skin and eyes. Very toxic by ingestion or inhalation. Used to make other chemicals. A lachrymator.
Reactivity Profile
CHLOROACETONE turns dark and resinifies on prolonged exposure to light [Merck]. This occurred in a bottle during storage for two years on a shelf in diffused light. A few days after the bottle was moved, CHLOROACETONE, STABILIZED(78-95-5) exploded [Ind. Eng. News 9: 184(1931)]. Is stabilized by addition of 0.1% water or 0.1% CaCO3.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Water soluble.
Hazard
Strong irritant to tissue, eyes, and mucous
membranes; toxic by ingestion and skin contact.
Upper respiratory tract irritant.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
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 and poison 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 to dark yellow liquid
Flammability and Explosibility
Flammable
Purification Methods
Dissolve it in water and shake it repeatedly with small amounts of diethyl ether which extracts, preferentially, 1,1-dichloroacetone present as an impurity. The chloroacetone is then extracted from the aqueous phase using a large amount of diethyl ether, and distilled at slightly reduced pressure. It is dried with CaCl2 and stored at Dry-ice temperature. Alternatively, it was stood over CaSO4, distilled and stored over CaSO4. It is steam volatile. The 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone forms yellow needles from EtOH with m 120o or 124o. [Beilstein 1 IV 3215.] LACHRYMATOR with toxic vapour.
