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Chemical Datasheet

ISOBUTYRIC ACID

 3 - Flammable liquid 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 79-31-2   (ISOBUTYRIC ACID)
  • 2529
  • Flammable Liquid
  • Corrosive
  • IBR
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • ISOBUTYRIC ACID
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 0
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless liquid with a light odor of rancid butter. Corrosive to metals and tissue.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Water soluble
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
ISOBUTYRIC ACID corrodes aluminum and other metals. Flammable hydrogen gas may accumulate in enclosed spaces in which this reaction has taken place (USCG, 1999).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

Some of these materials may react violently with water.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Do not get water inside containers.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: 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. 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 132 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Corrosive]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material. For hydrazine, absorb with DRY sand or inert absorbent (vermiculite or absorbent pads). Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Organic chemical respirator; goggles or face shield; rubber gloves (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: move to fresh air.

INGESTION: give large amounts of water.

EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min.; get medical attention if irritation persists.

SKIN: flush with water. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C4H8O2
Flash Point: 132°F (NFPA, 2010)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 935°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -51°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.949 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 309°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 88 (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)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Isobutyric acid (79-31-2) 0.23 ppm 2.6 ppm 15 ppm LEL = 20000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

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
iso-Butyric acid 79-31-2 5000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names