BUTYRALDEHYDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

A clear liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 20°F. Boiling point 75.7°F (Hawley's). Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.

• Highly Flammable
• Polymerizable

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Behavior in Fire: Vapors are heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Fires are difficult to control due to ease of reignition. (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation will cause irritation and possibly nausea, vomiting, headache, and loss of consciousness. Contact with eyes causes burns. Skin contact may be irritating. (USCG, 1999)

A colorless liquid, BUTYRALDEHYDE can react with oxidizing materials. In contact with strong acids or bases it will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction. The dry aldehyde may undergo some polymerization reaction. Reacts vigorously with chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid (oleum). [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 607].

• Aldehydes
• Polymerizable Compounds

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

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

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

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)

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use dry chemical extinguishers to control fires involving nitromethane (UN1261) or nitroethane (UN2842).

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

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)

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); 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. 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 or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. 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 goggles, gloves, and organic canister gas mask. (USCG, 1999)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Butanal, n-	123-72-8	Liquid		imm	41		>480		>480	>480	>480
Butyraldehyde, n-	123-72-8	Liquid		imm	41		>480		>480	>480	>480

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)

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 volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting. Thus, the risk of increasing the medical problems by inducing vomiting of a volatile corrosive chemical is very high. 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. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

• BUTAL
• BUTALDEHYDE
• BUTALYDE
• BUTANAL
• BUTANALDEHYDE
• BUTYL ALDEHYDE
• BUTYLALDEHYDE
• BUTYRAL
• BUTYRALDEHYDE
• BUTYRALDEHYDE (NORMAL AND ISO)
• BUTYRIC ALDEHYDE
• BUTYRYLALDEHYDE
• N-BUTANAL
• N-BUTYL ALDEHYDE
• N-BUTYRALDEHYDE
• N-BUTYRIC ALDEHYDE
• NCI-C56291