Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate is a clear, light yellow oily liquid with a faintly buttery odor. It is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride, and only slightly soluble in water. The substance is combustible.

A human urinary organophosphate flame retardant metabolite.

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate was used in dynamic air sampling of airborne organophosphate triesters using a solid-phase microextraction device.

ChEBI: Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate is a trialkyl phosphate that is the tris(2-chloroethyl) ester of phosphoric acid. It is a trialkyl phosphate and an organochlorine compound.

Odorless clear liquid. Neutral pH.

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.

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.

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.