2-Methylaziridine

Chemical Properties

Propyleneimine is a fuming, colorless, oily liquid with a strong ammonia-like odor.

Chemical Properties

colourless oily fuming liquid

Uses

The renal papillary toxin.

Uses

Intermediate in production of polymers, coatings, adhesives, textiles, and paper finishes.

Definition

ChEBI: 2-Methylaziridine is a member of aziridines.

General Description

A clear colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Flash point 25°F. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and through skin absorption. Less dense than water. Vapors are heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Used as an organic intermediate.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Soluble in water. Reacts slowly and non hazardously with water to form propanolamine or methylethanolamine.

Reactivity Profile

PROPYLENEIMINE, [INHIBITED] is subject to violent polymerization on contact with an acid. (The inhibitor is intended to prevent polymerization). Incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Upper respiratory tract irritant and kidney damage. Possi- ble carcinogen.

Health Hazard

Toxic after acute exposure. Can severely irritate eyes, skin, and lungs.

Fire Hazard

Chemical is extremely flammable; vapors are heavier than air. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced during combustion. Avoid acids, strong oxidizers. Thermally unstable. Hazardous polymerization may occur. Contact with acid promotes violent polymerization.

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. Poison by ingestion and skin contact. Moderately toxic by inhalation. Mutation data reported. Severe eye irritant. Implicated as a brain carcinogen. A flammable liquid and very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Polymerizes explosively on exposure to acids or acid fumes. A storage hazard. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.

Potential Exposure

Propyleneimine is used in the modifi- cation of latex surface coating resins; in the production of polymers for use in the paper and textile industries as coat- ings and adhesives.

Carcinogenicity

2-Methylaziridine is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.

Shipping

UN1921 Propyleneimine, stabilized, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid, 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

Vapors or liquid form explosive mixture with air. 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, oxoacids, epoxides, water, carbonyl compounds; quinones, sulfonyl halides. May explode in heat. Subject to violent polymerization in contact with acids. Hydrolyzes in water to form methylethanolamine.

Waste Disposal

Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal. Controlled incineration (incinerator equipped with a scrubber or thermal unit to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions).