Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Acetone Cyanohydrin (ACH)

Identification

Product Name: Acetone Cyanohydrin
Synonyms: α-Hydroxyisobutyronitrile, 2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropanenitrile, 2-Cyano-2-propanol
CAS Number: 75-86-5
Recommended Use: Intermediate for methyl methacrylate production, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer: [Insert manufacturer details]
Emergency Contact: [Insert emergency phone number and address]
Formula: (CH3)2C(OH)CN
UN Number: UN1541
EC Number: 200-909-4

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal), Skin corrosion/irritation, Serious eye damage/eye irritation, Specific target organ toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled; Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; Causes respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Corrosion, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area; Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Potential Health Effects: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, convulsions, respiratory distress, fatal poisoning

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Acetone Cyanohydrin
Synonyms: Cyanohydrin acetone
CAS Number: 75-86-5
Content: ≥98% (by weight)
Impurities: Hydrogen cyanide (may form upon decomposition), trace acetone, possible water traces
Molecular Weight: 85.1 g/mol
Other Components: No significant stabilizers or additives

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; keep victim at rest and warm; seek medical attention without delay.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; get medical assistance; decontaminate clothing before reuse.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes; lift eyelids occasionally; seek urgent medical care.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth carefully; provide water if victim is conscious; seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Most Important Symptoms: Seizures, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, blue lips or fingernails, respiratory collapse.
Immediate Medical Treatment: Administer oxygen, activated charcoal, or sodium thiosulfate as advised by poison control; do not attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray (cool containers only).
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet, due to risk of chemical reaction and cyanide release.
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides during combustion.
Protective Equipment: Full-body fire gear, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Explosion Data: Vapor may form explosive mixtures with air; containers may rupture violently when heated.
Advice for Firefighters: Isolate hazard area, evacuate personnel, stay upwind; prevent water runoff contamination.
Special Procedures: Apply cooling to containers with water from a safe distance to prevent bursting; avoid breathing vapors.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel; wear appropriate respiratory, skin, and eye protection.
Protective Measures: Prevent exposure through inhalation and skin contact; monitor for vapor accumulation.
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow spillage into drains, surface water, or soil; report large releases to authorities.
Methods for Containment: Cover drains; absorb with inert materials such as dry sand or earth (not combustible materials); scoop up and place in sealed chemical waste containers.
Decontamination: Ventilate area; neutralize residue with dilute sodium hypochlorite; dispose of waste under approved regulations.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Only trained professionals should handle; avoid direct contact; use only in well-ventilated areas or chemical fume hoods; do not breathe vapor, mist, or dust.
Hygiene: Wash hands and face thoroughly after use; do not eat, drink, or smoke nearby; remove contaminated clothing before entering common areas.
Storage Conditions: Store in airtight containers, away from acids, bases, water, strong oxidizers, and sources of ignition; refrigeration recommended; keep away from direct sunlight.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, water, alkalis, strong oxidizing agents, metal salts.
Storage Temperature: 2–8°C (refrigerated), never freeze or heat.
Packaging: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed containers labeled for toxic chemicals; secondary containment advised.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.05 ppm (as HCN), OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (acetone analogs), STEL values may apply.
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood or local exhaust required; process enclosure to minimize vapor release; leak detection systems where sizable volumes get stored.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved full-face masks with organic vapor/acid gas cartridges; use SCBA when concentrations are high.
Skin Protection: Chemically resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), full suit, boots, apron.
Eye Protection: Chemical goggles and face shield.
Other Protective Equipment: Emergency showers, eyewash stations, closed transfer systems.
Work Practices: Keep containers closed; regularly monitor air levels; provide training on cyanide emergency procedures.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid, sharp almond-like odor (due to trace HCN).
Odor: Pungent, faintly sweet-cyanide-like.
pH: Not applicable (prehazardous in contact with water).
Melting Point: -19°C
Boiling Point: 120°C at 760 mmHg
Flash Point: 73°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Moderate
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Vapor Pressure: 13 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: 2.9 (air = 1)
Solubility: Decomposes in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone.
Specific Gravity: 0.932 (water = 1) at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): −0.06
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 435°C
Decomposition Temperature: Above 120°C; emits HCN.

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage; rapidly decomposes in presence of water or acids, releasing hydrogen cyanide.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture, direct light, strong acids or bases, incompatible chemicals.
Incompatible Materials: Water, acids, alkalis, oxidizers, amines, metal salts.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen cyanide gas, acetone, ammonia, carbon oxides.
Polymerization: May occur violently in presence of bases; explosion hazard.
Reactivity: Violent reaction with acids or alkalis.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat): 66 mg/kg; LD50 dermal (rabbit): 85 mg/kg; LC50 inhalation (rat, 4h): 50 ppm
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Severe skin burns and blisters possible.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Permanent vision damage with direct exposure.
Sensitization: Not reported for ACH.
Chronic Toxicity: No reliable long-term studies; repeated exposure causes cumulative poisoning.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity: No conclusive animal studies; potential due to cyanide formation.
Specific Target Organ Effects: Central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory systems.
Possible Symptoms: Headaches, coma, ataxia, convulsions, delayed neurological deficits; delayed effects on survivors.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms (fish LC50 0.27 mg/L/96h); rapid cyanide generation in water increases environmental hazard.
Persistence and Degradability: Readily hydrolyzes in water to produce acetone and hydrogen cyanide; HCN itself is rapidly degraded by natural processes.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, due to hydrolysis and volatility.
Mobility in Soil: Likely to leach, but will volatilize and degrade quickly.
Other Adverse Effects: Kills aquatic life quickly; disrupts local ecosystem function.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Handled by licensed chemical waste contractor; incinerate in specialized plant equipped for cyanide destruction.
Contaminated Packaging: Wash with caustic soda solution, neutralize, then dispose as hazardous waste.
Precautions: Never discharge to sewer; do not burn containers unless under controlled, permitted conditions.
Regulatory Requirements: Comply with local, national hazardous waste rules for cyanide compounds.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1541
Shipping Name: Acetone Cyanohydrin, Stabilized
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: I (great danger)
Labels: Toxic, Keep Away from Water
Special Precautions: Segregate from food, incompatible chemicals; ventilation and temperature control during transport.
Emergency Response Guide: ERG 151
Maritime Transport: IMDG code applies; marine pollutant label advised.
Air Transport: Not allowed unless specifically authorized; strict carrier restrictions.

Regulatory Information

US Regulation: Listed on TSCA, CERCLA (RQ = 1 lb), SARA 302 (EHS), SARA 313 reporting required.
EU Regulation: Listed under REACH Annex XVII restrictions; subject to Seveso III Directive; CLP/GHS classification Toxic (T+), Dangerous for the environment (N).
Other Regulations: Canada: WHMIS Class D1A (immediate, very toxic materials). Australia: Schedule 7 (dangerous poison). Japan: Subject to Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act.
Workplace Restrictions: Occupational use strictly regulated; only authorized persons permitted.
Labelling: Must comply with GHS container and workplace labeling; emergency contact and antidote instructions.
Additional Measures: Local authorities may impose further restrictions or permit requirements.