Chemical name: 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid
Synonyms: ACC, Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid
Chemical formula: C4H7NO2
CAS Number: 22059-21-8
Common uses: Used in research to study plant ethylene biosynthesis, sometimes showing up in biotechnology studies where the plant hormone ethylene gets attention.
Hazard classification: Not listed as flammable, explosive, or acutely toxic by major regulatory agencies; direct handling can still irritate the eyes and skin based on chemical class.
Key risks: Potential skin and eye irritation, may trouble breathing and cause coughing if inhaled as powder or dust.
Signal words: No legal requirement for hazard pictograms in most countries, though good lab practice treats any synthetic amino compound as potentially hazardous.
Main component: 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, usually in purity above 95 percent in lab settings.
Impurities: Small traces of moisture or by-products from synthesis process, but reputable suppliers aim for the cleanest samples suitable for university or biotech usage.
Inhalation: If powder gets into the air and is inhaled, step outdoors or move to fresh air, and breathe normally; mild nuisance may fade on its own.
Skin contact: Cleanse with water and gentle soap. Persistent redness signals a reason to consult a healthcare provider, but typical lab splashes often resolve with a wash.
Eye contact: Rinse with gentle, steady water for several minutes. Droplets can sting but seldom result in lasting harm.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth and drink water. For significant discomfort or accidental high amounts, a medical check-up offers peace of mind.
Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide can be used for fires involving related organic compounds. This material does not usually feed fire aggressively.
Hazards from combustion: Burning synthetic amino acids may emit carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, or other organic fragments. Standard chemical firefighting precautions apply.
Advice for firefighters: Protective equipment and a self-contained breathing system help avoid inhaling smoke from decomposing amino acids.
Personal precautions: Gloves, dust masks, and eye protection help keep exposure to a minimum in spills.
Methods for cleaning up: Gently sweep or scoop up dry powder, trying not to let dust rise. Damp wiping yields a safer cleanup. Ventilate the room if spill takes place in a closed lab.
Environmental precautions: Avoid rinsing into open drains; containment keeps waterways safe from excessive nitrogen load.
Safe handling: Handle in a ventilated spot, avoid breathing dust, and wear basic lab gear—gloves, coat, and goggles. Neat storage avoids unnecessary contact.
Storage conditions: Store sealed in a dry, cool place, away from acidic or basic agents, oxidizers, or strong reducing compounds.
Incompatible materials: Strong acids and bases may cause degradation; mixing with oxidizers speeds decomposition.
Engineering controls: Use local ventilation to reduce dust in work areas. Fume hood procedures cut down risks of inhalation.
Personal protective equipment: Nitrile gloves, lab goggles, and a dust mask do the job for most research settings. Change gloves after each session.
Exposure limits: Direct governmental exposure limits have not been published for this amino acid, but similar substances motivate best practices by analogy.
Appearance: White or near-white crystalline solid
Odor: Practically odorless
Melting point: Reported near 200 to 204 degrees Celsius (decomposes)
Solubility: Soluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol
Other data: Stable under normal conditions; decomposes if left in heat or sunlight for days on end.
Chemical stability: Stable at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Conditions to avoid: Prolonged exposure to humidity, strong heat, and reactive chemicals.
Hazardous decomposition: Heat or acid treatment yields carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and small organic fragments rather than toxic byproducts.
Acute effects: Short-term exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion leads to mild irritation. Lab data in rodents point to low acute toxicity.
Chronic effects: No convincing evidence links the compound with chronic harm in reasonable exposure settings, though direct evidence in humans remains slim.
Other remarks: Sensitization or allergic reactions are rare, but not unheard of with amino compounds; regular use encourages caution.
Aquatic and soil impact: No persistent environmental harm expected under ordinary lab use; rapid breakdown by microbes in water and dirt limits accumulation.
Mobility: Water solubility means potential for movement in runoff; containment and proper disposal help.
Further actions: Absence of bioconcentration in higher animals keeps ecological risk modest, but disposal into stormwater or bodies of water needs containment.
Waste treatment methods: Collect leftover solids or solutions and work with licensed chemical disposal handlers. Small academic labs dilute and neutralize in accordance with local policy.
Disposal recommendations: Not suitable for landfill or drains in concentrated forms; incineration under controlled conditions offers a clean end-point.
Shipping description: Not flagged as hazardous for air, sea, or land by IATA, IMDG, or ADR. Most labs ship it as standard non-dangerous goods.
Special precautions: Sealed packaging keeps powder contained and moisture out; labeling as a research chemical adds context during transport.
International regulations: Not registered as a controlled chemical under US EPA, EU REACH, or the UN’s major hazard lists.
Workplace guidance: Many universities and biotech workplaces assign it as a “low risk” chemical, fitting into local safety programs for amines and amino acids.
Labeling requirements: None mandatory by global transport rules, but many suppliers still attach hazard precaution statements for awareness.