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Chemical Datasheet

PROPIONIC ANHYDRIDE

8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 123-62-6   (PROPIONIC ANHYDRIDE)
  • 2496
  • Corrosive
  • PAH
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • PROPIONIC ANHYDRIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 1
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 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 165°F. Density 8.4 lb /gal. Corrosive to metals and tissue.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Decomposes exothermically in water to form a corrosive solution of propionic acid [Merck, 11th ed. 1989].
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes irritation of eyes and respiratory tract. Contact with liquid causes burns of eyes and skin. Ingestion causes burns of mouth and stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
PROPIONIC ANHYDRIDE reacts exothermically with water. The reactions are sometimes slow, but can become violent when local heating accelerates their rate. Acids accelerate the reaction with water. Incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, and bases.
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 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

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 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 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

Note: Most foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases.

SMALL FIRE: CO2, dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. 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. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

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 damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Organic canister mask; goggles or face shield; rubber gloves (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: move victim to fresh air; if breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration.

EYES: immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 min.; get medical attention.

SKIN: immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 min.

INGESTION: give large amount of water, do NOT induce vomiting. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C6H10O3
Flash Point: 145°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.48 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 11.9 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 545°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -45°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.01 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 336°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 130.14 (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
Propionic anhydride (123-62-6) 7.1 mg/m3 78 mg/m3 470 mg/m3 LEL = 13000 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
Propionic anhydride 123-62-6 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