Chemical Properties
Clear, transparent liquid. Slightly water soluble. Combustible.
Uses
A human urinary organophosphate flame retardant metabolite.
Uses
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate was used in dynamic air sampling of airborne organophosphate triesters using a solid-phase microextraction device.
Definition
ChEBI: A trialkyl phosphate that is the tris(2-chloroethyl) ester of phosphoric acid.
General Description
Odorless clear liquid. Neutral pH.
Reactivity Profile
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.
Toxicology
The toxicological data of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, LD50 values of 390-1410 mg/kg (and more than 2000 mg/kg in one study), have been reported for rats following oral administration. The substance is nonirritating to very mildly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. It was not sensitizing to the skin in guinea pigs. Subchronic administration of tris(2- chloroethyl) phosphate caused increased liver weight in rats and mice. Additionally, rats showed increased kidney weights and degenerative changes in the hippocampus region of the brain. Results of mutagenicity studies on tris(2- chloroethyl) phosphate are not consistent, but the majority of tests were negative. Results of carcinogenicity studies suggest that tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate possesses a weak tumorigenic activity, possibly via an epigenetic mechanism. When pregnant rats were treated with tris(2- chloroethyl) phosphate, toxic effects were found in the mother, but no fetotoxic or teratogenic effects were observed. Impairment of reproduction was observed in a two-generation study in mice.
Safety Profile
Poison by
intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by
ingestion. Experimental reproductive
effects. Questionable carcinogen with
experimental tumorigenic data. A skin and
eye irritant. Combustible when exposed to
heat or flame. When heated to
decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of
POx and Cl-. See also PHOSPHATES,
CHLORIDES, and ESTERS.
