MSDS: Chloroacetyl Chloride

Identification

Chemical Name: Chloroacetyl Chloride
CAS Number: 79-04-9
Molecular Formula: C2H2Cl2O
Synonyms: Chloroacetic acid chloride, Monochloroacetyl chloride
Intended Use: Intermediate for pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, dyes, and photographic chemicals
Emergency Phone: Local Poison Center or Chemical Response Team
Supplier Details: Manufacturer/Supplier’s contact, including address and emergency telephone, should be referenced through the local distributor or chemical database for proper communication in case of exposure or spill.

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation) Category 3; Skin Corrosion Category 1A; Eye Damage Category 1; Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure Category 3
Label Elements: Danger Signal Word; Skull and Crossbones, Corrosion pictogram
Hazard Statements: Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin, and if swallowed; Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe vapors; Use only in a well-ventilated place; Wear impervious gloves, protective clothing, eye and face protection; Wash skin thoroughly after handling; Seek medical attention immediately if exposure occurs
Potential Health Effects: Severe irritation and burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; Damage to respiratory tract; Systemic toxicity if absorbed
Environmental Hazard: May cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Chloroacetyl Chloride
Concentration: >98% (typically near pure industrial formulations)
Impurities: Hydrochloric acid, Chloroacetic acid (typically below 1%)
Hazardous Components: Listed as Primary Dangerous Substance due to corrosive and toxic properties.
EC Number: 201-183-8

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air immediately; Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult; Keep victim at rest; Seek urgent medical help.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes; Wash skin with copious water for at least 20 minutes; Apply sterile dressings; Do not use neutralizing chemicals on skin.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes continuously with running water for 30 minutes, keep eyelids open; Remove contact lenses after initial flushing if possible; Seek immediate eye specialist care.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; Do not induce vomiting; Give small amounts of water if conscious; Get medical attention without delay.
Notes for Doctors: Treat as corrosive chemical exposure, monitor airway, support respiratory and cardiovascular function, anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment should be guided by exposure severity.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam; Do not use water jets since violent reaction may generate hydrogen chloride gas.
Specific Hazards: Reacts with water to produce toxic, corrosive fumes including hydrochloric acid; Container may rupture due to pressure buildup.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full chemical protective suit.
Advice for Firefighters: Withdraw personnel to a safe distance; Isolate area; Approach from upwind; Cool containers with large amounts of water applied at safe distance to prevent pressure buildup.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area; Wear full chemical protective clothing with positive pressure respirator; Ensure adequate ventilation.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe; Keep out of drains, sewers, and water bodies.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with dry inert material such as sand or earth; Do not use organic materials like sawdust; Shovel up into a secure, clearly labelled chemical waste container; Wash spill site with copious water after material pickup; Dispose of in compliance with regulatory standards.
Reference to Other Sections: Consult Section on Personal Protection and Disposal Considerations for further details.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Transfer and dispense only in ventilated areas; Avoid all contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; Prevent inhalation of vapors or mists; Use proper containment to avoid spills.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers in a secure, dry, well-ventilated location away from incompatible materials (water, alcohols, amines, strong bases); Protect from moisture; Access restricted to trained personnel.
Storage Temperature: Maintain below 25°C; Avoid freezing or direct sunlight.
Incompatibilities: Highly reactive with water, bases, alcohols, amines, and oxidizing agents; May react violently with above substances generating heat and corrosive fumes.
Packaging Materials: Use approved containers of glass, stainless steel, or other compatible materials resistant to corrosion.

Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

Control Parameters: ACGIH TLV: C 0.05 ppm (Ceiling); No OSHA PEL assigned; DNEL and PNEC values not established due to acute hazard profile.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation required; Enclosed process systems advised; Maintain negative pressure within workplace to limit vapor escape.
Personal Protection: Respiratory protection with full-face positive pressure self-contained apparatus; Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene); Splash-proof safety goggles and full face shield; Long-sleeved, acid-resistant protective clothing or chemical suit; Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash before reuse.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling; Strictly prohibit eating, drinking, smoking in areas with chemical use; Eye wash stations and emergency showers in immediate proximity.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear to pale-yellow oily liquid
Odor: Sharp, choking odor resembling acetic acid and chlorine
Melting Point: -22°C
Boiling Point: 105°C
Density: 1.418 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: 11 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Reacts violently with water; not soluble
pH: Not applicable; reacts with water to form acidic solution
Flash Point: Not flammable but reacts violently with water
Autoignition Temperature: Not readily available; refer to manufacturers’ data
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available; hydrolyzes rapidly
Evaporation Rate: Not measurable; vapor formation occurs rapidly in air
Viscosity: 0.975 mPa·s at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions in sealed containers, absent moisture or reactive chemicals.
Reactivity: Hydrolyzes quickly on contact with water, releasing copious hydrochloric acid fumes and heat; May corrode metals on prolonged contact; Not compatible with oxidizing or alkaline substances.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene (under fire conditions), carbon monoxide and dioxide.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture, incompatible materials; Storage in open or unventilated locations.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 111 mg/kg; Inhalation LC₅₀ (rat, 4h): 41 ppm; Dermal LD₅₀ (rabbit): 220 mg/kg
Corrosivity: Causes irreversible skin and eye burns; Vapor is irritating to respiratory tract
Primary Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, Skin contact, Eye contact, Ingestion
Symptoms of Exposure: Shortness of breath, coughing, burning sensation, chest pain, extreme skin and eye pain, delayed pulmonary edema possible
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may lead to airway damage or sensitization; No confirmed data on carcinogenicity or mutagenicity from chronic human exposure.
Other Data: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a known carcinogen; No reproductive toxicity reported in limited animal studies.

Ecological Information

Eco-toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms due to acidity and corrosive nature; Rapidly hydrolyzes to chloroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid which contribute to aquatic toxicity.
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades swiftly in water with formation of hazardous byproducts; Not expected to bioaccumulate.
Mobility in Soil: Liquid with high vapor pressure; Volatilizes readily from soil or surface; Moves rapidly via runoff if not contained.
Other Adverse Effects: Spilled material may acidify water courses, alter aquatic communities, and pose secondary risks through byproduct formation.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Procedures: Collect as hazardous chemical waste; Must be disposed of in approved incineration or chemical destruction facility licensed to handle halogenated organics.
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers retain residue; Handle as hazardous waste; Do not reconnect to compatible or food service.
Regulatory Compliance: Disposal must accord with local, state, and national environmental statutes governing hazardous chemicals.
Precautions: Never flush to sewer or natural waterways; Deactivate excess material with dilute caustic solution under controlled conditions where allowed, using secondary containment.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1752
Proper Shipping Name: Chloroacetyl Chloride
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances); 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: I (highest hazard, requires special packaging)
Labels: Toxic, Corrosive
Special Provisions: Marine pollutant; Emergency Response Guide 157
Transport Precautions: Ship only in approved, leak-proof containers; Inform carrier of corrosive, toxic properties; Ensure dedicated chemical handling during transit to prevent accidents; Follow national and international transport regulations.

Regulatory Information

EPA Status: Listed as hazardous substance under CERCLA; SARA Title III Section 313 reportable
TSCA Inventory: Present
EU Regulation: Listed under REACH; Subject to authorization and restrictions within the EU
Canadian WHMIS Classification: Class D1A (Immediate/Serious Toxic Effects), Class E (Corrosive Material)
OSHA Hazard Communication: Covered under Hazard Communication Standard (HCS); Requires detailed training and information provision for workers
Labeling Obligations: Requires pictograms, signal word, and robust hazard, precaution, and emergency information provision as stipulated in GHS and CLP regulations worldwide.