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Chemical Datasheet

O-CHLOROBENZYLIDENE MALONONITRILE

6.1 - Poison
Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 2698-41-1
  • Poison
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrileexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A chemical warfare tear gas agent.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: White crystalline solid or light beige powder. Odor of pepper. (NTP, 1992)

Hazards

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
The finely powdered nitrile is a significant dust explosion hazard. Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

Flash point data for this chemical are not available, but it is probably combustible. (NTP, 1992)
Health Hazard
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrileexternal link:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Pain, burn eyes, lacrimation (discharge of tears), conjunctivitis; erythema (skin redness) eyelids, blepharospasm; irritation throat, cough, chest tightness; headache; erythema (skin redness), vesiculation skin

Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system (NIOSH, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
O-CHLOROBENZYLIDENE MALONONITRILE may react with strong oxidizers. (NTP, 1992)
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 absorbent listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

Response Recommendations

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
For initial isolation and protective action distances for chemical warfare tear gas agents see the Chemical Warfare Agents table in the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

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

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
Firefighting
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

Fires involving this compound should be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
Non-Fire Response
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If a spill of this chemical occurs, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with acetone and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with acetone to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with acetone followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this chemical under refrigerated temperatures, and keep it away from oxidizing materials. (NTP, 1992)
Protective Clothing
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrileexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin:
• WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
• DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
For information on chemical warfare tear gas agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Corrosive chemicals will destroy the membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and, in addition, have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Transport the victim IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C10H5ClN2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 203°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 3.4e-05 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 6.52 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: 590 to 599°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 187.6 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 1 to 5 mg/mL at 61°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 2 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Tear Gas (2698-41-1)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 0.083 mg/m3 140 mg/m3
30 minutes NR 0.083 mg/m3 29 mg/m3
60 minutes NR 0.083 mg/m3 11 mg/m3
4 hours NR 0.083 mg/m3 1.5 mg/m3
8 hours NR 0.083 mg/m3 1.5 mg/m3
NR = Not recommended
(NAC/NRC, 2024)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
CS (o-Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile) (2698-41-1) 0.005 mg/m3 star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 0.1 mg/m3 25 mg/m3
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, o-; (Tear Gas) (2698-41-1) 0.005 mg/m3 0.083 mg/m3 11 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

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

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.