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Chemical Datasheet

(E)-CROTONALDEHYDE

6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard 3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 123-73-9   ((E)-CROTONALDEHYDE)
  • 1143
  • Poison Inhalation Hazard
  • Flammable Liquid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
4 2
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
Note: NFPA ratings shown are for crotonaldehyde, CAS number 4170-30-3.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Water-white to straw-colored liquid with a pungent, suffocating odor. Used as a chemical intermediate in a variety of industrial processes (surfactants, textiles, paper, fuels, insecticides, leather tanning, etc.). Used in chemical warfare. (EPA, 1998)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Vapors form explosive mixtures in air or in sewers. Hazardous peroxides and acids emitted when heated to decomposition. Avoid nitric acid. Unstable, avoid oxygen, heat, elevated pressures. Hazardous polymerization may occur. Avoid contact with alkaline materials such as caustic ammonia or amines, or at elevated temperatures. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Although slightly less toxic, crotonaldehyde is similar chemically and toxicologically to acrolein, which is rated as extremely toxic. Toxic concentrations for human inhalation have been reported at 12 mg/m3/10 minutes. Irritant dose to human eye is 45 ppm. As with acrolein, vapor exposures cause severe and painful eye irritation, damage to cornea, lacrimation (tearing), irritation of nasal membranes, pulmonary edema (filling of lungs with fluid) and gastrointestinal distress when ingested. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
(E)-CROTONALDEHYDE is an aldehyde. It can react violently with strong oxidizing reagents, e.g., reaction with conc. nitric acid leads to instantaneous ignition [Andrussow, L., Chim. Ind. (Paris), 1961, 86, p. 542]. In contact with strong acids or bases it will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction. Reaction with 1,3-butadiene is particularly violent [Greenlee, K. W., Chem. Eng. News, 1948, 26, p. 1985]. Crotonaldehyde may rapidly polymerize with ethyl acetoacetate (Soriano, D.S. et al. 1988. Journal of Chemical Education 65:637.).
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 131 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

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

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1143 datasheet.

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
All exposed skin surfaces should be covered. Wear protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus, coat, pants, gloves, boots, and bands around arms, wrists, legs, and waist. Massive or advanced fires should be fought from a safe distance or protected location. Isolate area for one-half mile in all directions if tank car or truck involved in fire.

Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide; water may be ineffective but should be used to keep fire-exposed containers cool. If leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse vapors. Water spray may be used to flush spills away from exposures. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Remove all ignition sources and ventilate area of spill. No flares, smoking, or flames in hazard area. Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do so without risk. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Butenal, 2- 123-73-9 Liquid 34 147 >480 >480 >480
Croton aldehyde 123-73-9 Liquid 34 147 >480 >480 >480
Ethane diol dipropanoate, 1,2- 123-73-9 Liquid 34 147 >480 >480 >480
Methyl acrolein 123-73-9 Liquid 34 147 >480 >480 >480
Propylene aldehyde 123-73-9 Liquid 34 147 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Warning: Crotonaldehyde, (E)- is an extreme eye, respiratory, and skin irritant and can cause corneal damage. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Crotonaldehyde, (E)- Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to crotonaldehyde, (E)- may include irritation of the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. Delayed onset of pulmonary edema is possible following inhalation. Corneal damage may occur as may allergic contact dermatitis. Seizures may also be observed.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to crotonaldehyde, (E)- may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contami-nation. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to crotonaldehyde, (E)-.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to crotonaldehyde, (E)-.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. DO NOT induce vomiting.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C4H6O
Flash Point: 55.4°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.1 % (EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 15.5 % (EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -101°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 19 mmHg at 68°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.41 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.853 at 68°F (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 219.2°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 70.1 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for trans-Crotonaldehyde (123-73-9)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.19 ppm 27 ppm 44 ppm
30 minutes 0.19 ppm 8.9 ppm 27 ppm
60 minutes 0.19 ppm 4.4 ppm 14 ppm
4 hours 0.19 ppm 1.1 ppm 2.6 ppm
8 hours 0.19 ppm 0.56 ppm 1.5 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Crotonaldehyde, trans- (123-73-9) 0.19 ppm 4.4 ppm 14 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
2-Butenal, (e)- 123-73-9 1000 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds U053 20000 pounds
Crotonaldehyde, (E)- 123-73-9 1000 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds U053 20000 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
Crotonaldehyde, (E)-; [2-Butenal], (E)-] 123-73-9 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names