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Chemical Datasheet

VINYL METHYL ETHER

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 107-25-5   (VINYL METHYL ETHER)
  • 1087
  • Flammable Gas
  • VME
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 2
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Shipped as a liquefied gas under own vapor pressure. Contact with the liquid may cause frostbite. Easily ignited. Vapors are heavier than air. Leaks may either be liquid or vapor. May asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat containers may rupture violently and rocket.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Reacts slowly with water to form acetaldehyde, reaction is not hazardous unless water is hot or acids are present. Form dangerous peroxides when exposed to air.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes intoxication, blurring of vision, headache, dizziness, excitation, loss of consciousness. Liquid or concentrated vapor irritates eyes and causes frostbite of skin. Aspiration of the liquid will cause chemical pneumonitis. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
VINYL METHYL ETHER reacts vigorously with oxidizing materials. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat, flame or strong oxidizing agents. Reacts, possibly explosively with halogens (bromine, chlorine) or hydrogen halides (hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride) [Baker, 1980, p. 487]. On contact with dilute acids or even mildly acidic solids (calcium chloride, ceramics) undergoes rapid, exothermic homopolymerization, which cannot be prevented by antioxidants. Must be stored in the presence of base [MVE Brochure, Billingham, ICI, 1962].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Organic-vapor mask; plastic or rubber gloves; safety glasses (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air; if breathing is difficult, administer oxygen; call physician.

EYES: wash with copious quantities of water; consult an eye specialist.

SKIN: wash with copious quantities of water; treat frostbite by use of warm water or blankets.

INGESTION: do NOT induce vomiting, get medical attention. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H6O
Flash Point: -69°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.6 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 39 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 549°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -188°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.777 at 32°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 41.9°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 58.1 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

No PAC information available.

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Ethene, methoxy- 107-25-5 10000 pounds
Vinyl methyl ether 107-25-5 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Vinyl methyl ether; [Ethene, methoxy-] 107-25-5 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names