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Chemical Datasheet

TERT-BUTYL ACETATE

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 540-88-5   (TERT-BUTYL ACETATE)
  • 1123
  • Flammable Liquid
  • BYA
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
tert-Butyl acetate
  • tert-BUTYL ACETATE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Colorless liquid with a mild odor. Floats on water. Produces irritating vapor. (USCG, 1999)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
INHALATION: Irritation of throat. EYES: Irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
TERT-BUTYL ACETATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. This compound is incompatible with the following: Nitrates; strong oxidizers, alkalis & acids (NIOSH, 2022).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water may be ineffective.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Alcohol foam, CO2, dry chemical (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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 tert-Butyl acetate:

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 tert-Butyl acetate:

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: WATER FLUSH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly. If irritation persists after washing, get medical attention.

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:
  • C6H12O2
Flash Point: 72°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.5 % (NIOSH, 2023)
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: 0.8665 at 68°F 0.8593 at 25°C (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 208°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 116.16 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 1500 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (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
Butyl acetate, tert- (540-88-5) 600 ppm 1700 ppm 10000 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
tert-Butyl acetate 540-88-5 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