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Chemical Datasheet

ISOBUTYL ALDEHYDE

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 78-84-2   (ISOBUTYL ALDEHYDE)
  • 2045
  • Flammable Liquid
  • BAD
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • ISOBUTYRALDEHYDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
2 1
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point of -40°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Vapors are heavier than air. Used to make other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Oxidizes slowly on exposure to air. Stable (less than 10% decomposition) for four hours when exposed to light and air in a closed system. Stable for two weeks when stored under nitrogen at temperatures up to 77°F. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
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)
Health Hazard
Vapor is irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
ISOBUTYL ALDEHYDE can react vigorously with reducing agents, with oxidizing agents, strong bases and mineral acids. Can undergo exothermic self-condensation or polymerization reactions that are often catalyzed by acid. Generates flammable and/or toxic gases in combination with azo, diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. Reacts slowly when exposed to air with air to give peroxides and other products. These reactions are activated by light, catalyzed by salts of transition metals, and are autocatalytic (catalyzed by their products). The addition of stabilizers (antioxidants) retards autoxidation.
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 absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / 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
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

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 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. 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 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / 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
Appropriate protective clothing, including rubber gloves, rubber shoes and protective eyewear. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
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)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C4H8O
Flash Point: -40°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.6 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 10.6 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 385°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -85°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 170 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.5 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.791 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 147°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 72.11 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 66°F (NTP, 1992)
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
Isobutyraldehyde (78-84-2) 75 ppm 78 ppm 470 ppm LEL = 16000 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
Isobutyraldehyde 78-84-2 313

(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