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Chemical Datasheet

NAPHTHENIC ACID

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1338-24-5
none data unavailable
  • NTI
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • NAPHTHENIC ACIDS
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Naphthenic acid is a dark colored liquid with an offensive odor. It is insoluble in water. It will burn though it may take some effort to ignite. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Since it is a liquid it can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams. It is used to make paint dryers, detergents, and solvents.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
No information available.
Health Hazard
Principal effect is that of mild primary irritation when encountered in high concentrations. Inhalation of vapor causes coughing. Liquid is moderately irritating to eyes and slightly to moderately irritating to skin; excessive exposure could result in dermatitis. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
NAPHTHENIC ACID is a carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acids donate hydrogen ions if a base is present to accept them. They react in this way with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Their reactions with bases, called "neutralizations", are accompanied by the evolution of substantial amounts of heat. Neutralization between an acid and a base produces water plus a salt. Carboxylic acids with six or fewer carbon atoms are freely or moderately soluble in water; those with more than six carbons are slightly soluble in water. Soluble carboxylic acid dissociate to an extent in water to yield hydrogen ions. The pH of solutions of carboxylic acids is therefore less than 7.0. Many insoluble carboxylic acids react rapidly with aqueous solutions containing a chemical base and dissolve as the neutralization generates a soluble salt. Carboxylic acids in aqueous solution and liquid or molten carboxylic acids can react with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Such reactions occur in principle for solid carboxylic acids as well, but are slow if the solid acid remains dry. Even "insoluble" carboxylic acids may absorb enough water from the air and dissolve sufficiently in it to corrode or dissolve iron, steel, and aluminum parts and containers. Carboxylic acids, like other acids, react with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The reaction is slower for dry, solid carboxylic acids. Insoluble carboxylic acids react with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Flammable and/or toxic gases and heat are generated by the reaction of carboxylic acids with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Carboxylic acids, especially in aqueous solution, also react with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Their reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates generates a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Like other organic compounds, carboxylic acids can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. A wide variety of products is possible. Like other acids, carboxylic acids may initiate polymerization reactions; like other acids, they often catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
No information available.
Firefighting
No information available.
Non-Fire Response
No information available.
Protective Clothing
Safety glasses or face mask (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: remove to fresh air.

INGESTION: give large amounts of water.

EYES: flush with water until irritation subsides.

SKIN: wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula: data unavailable
Flash Point: 300°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.982 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 270 to 470°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 200 to 250 (mixture) (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)

No PAC information available.

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
Naphthenic acid 1338-24-5 100 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