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Chemical Datasheet

N-PROPYL NITRATE

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 627-13-4   (N-PROPYL NITRATE)
  • 1865
  • Flammable Liquid
  • PNI
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
n-Propyl nitrate
  • n-PROPYL NITRATE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
2 3
ox
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special OX Possesses oxidizing properties.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A white to straw-colored liquid with an ether-like odor. About the same density as water and insoluble in water. Flash point 70°F. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a fuel. Shock sensitive. The shock sensitivity is removed by addition of 1-2% of propane, butane, chloroform, ethyl ether, or methyl ether.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic gases and vapors, such as oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide, may be released in a fire. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Exposure can cause anoxia and cyanosis. Other effects are weakness, dizziness, and severe headaches. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Organonitrates, such as N-PROPYL NITRATE, range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher temperature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive. Contact with either strong oxidizers or with combustibles may cause fires and explosions.
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 128 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:

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)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 128 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: For mixtures containing alcohol or polar solvent, alcohol-resistant foam may be more effective.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular 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. For petroleum crude oil, do not spray water directly into a breached tank car. This can lead to a dangerous boil over. 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 128 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:

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 Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for n-Propyl nitrate:

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.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for n-Propyl nitrate:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H7NO3
Flash Point: 68°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 100 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 347°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: less than -150°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: 18 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.06 (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 231°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 105.1 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: Slight (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 11.07 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 500 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

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
Propyl nitrate (627-13-4) 40 ppm 330 ppm 2000 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. LEL = 20000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

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

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Propyl Nitrate 627-13-4 2500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names