Chemical Name: 2,4,6-Trimethylaniline Synonyms: Mesidine Chemical Formula: C9H13N Molecular Weight: 135.21 g/mol Appearance: Oily liquid, usually clear to pale yellow Odor: Aromatic, sometimes sweet
Hazards: Exposure causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin. Dangerous interactions with oxidizers and sources of ignition need attention. May cause methemoglobinemia. Signal Word: Warning Risk Statements: Harmful if ingested or inhaled. Skin absorption quickly brings risk. Prolonged exposures bring organ effects. Fire can release toxic vapors such as nitrogen oxides.
Main Ingredient: 2,4,6-Trimethylaniline (CAS No. 88-05-1), typically >98%. Impurities: Other methylated aniline derivatives in trace amounts.
Inhalation: Move into fresh air, keep patient calm. Oxygen and symptomatic medical attention help in most real cases. Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with plenty of soap and water. Seek prompt medical advice, especially if irritation or symptoms appear. Eye Contact: Flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contacts if present. Medical evaluation prevents complications. Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth, drink plenty of water. Immediate medical consultation required, as methemoglobinemia risk climbs quickly.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, CO2, water spray in small quantities. Fire Hazards: Combustion releases toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing. Keep a safe distance and avoid breathing vapors.
Personal Precautions: Use gloves, goggles, proper boots, and chemical-resistant attire. Ensure adequate ventilation or work outdoors. Spill Response: Prevent chemical from entering drains, sewers, or waterways. Absorb with inert materials such as sand or vermiculite. Collect and store waste in secure labeled containers for specialized disposal. Environmental Precautions: Do not wash into drainage. Contain spill for chemical recovery and clean-up.
Handling: Avoid inhalation, contact with skin or eyes. Handle only in well-ventilated spaces. After use, wash hands and arms thoroughly. Storage: Store tightly sealed in cool, dry, and well-ventilated location, away from incompatible materials such as oxidizers and acids. Keep out of direct sunlight and sources of ignition.
Engineering Controls: Work under local exhaust or fume hood to prevent accumulation of vapors. Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), protective clothing, and safety goggles. If risk of inhalation exists, use appropriate respirators. Hygiene Measures: No eating, smoking, or drinking around chemical. Wash hands regularly, remove and clean contaminated clothing before reuse.
State: Liquid Color: Colorless to pale yellow Odor: Aromatic, sweet Boiling Point: Around 230°C Melting Point: 9-11°C Solubility: Slightly soluble in water. Readily mixes with organic solvents. Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature Density: Roughly 0.98 g/cm³ Flash Point: Above 100°C (closed cup)
Chemical Stability: Product usually stable if handled as recommended. Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, some metals. Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other toxic vapors release in fire or high heat. Hazardous Polymerization: No reports of hazardous polymerization under normal conditions.
Acute Toxicity: Poisonous by all common routes of entry. Causes symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness. High exposures affect blood, causing methemoglobinemia—a process where blood loses its ability to carry oxygen well. Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can damage liver, blood system, nervous system. Skin allergy and dermatitis possible after frequent contact. Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, eye contact, ingestion. Irritation: Marked skin, eye, and respiratory irritation documented in animal tests and industrial case reports.
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life. Laboratory studies show acute effects in fish and invertebrates. Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent. Breaks down slowly under normal conditions in soil or water. Bioaccumulative Potential: Expected to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Mobility: Moderate—likely to leach in soil or migrate into water supplies, raising concerns for long-term accumulation.
Waste Treatment: Collect waste and excess material in well-labeled, tightly closed containers. Material suited for high-temperature chemical incineration with proper emissions control. Do Not: Dispose into drains, waterways, or alongside municipal solid waste. Consult specialized hazardous waste contractor for proper disposal channels.
Regulatory Transport Classification: Not regarded as a highly dangerous good for air or road. Handle as hazardous material if transported in bulk or outside laboratory settings, due to toxicity risk and flammability. Packaging: Use durable, sealed chemical-resistant containers and secure during transport to prevent leaks or breakage.
Workplace Regulation: Industrial hygiene best practices call for proper ventilation, engineering controls, and strict personal protective wear. Specific exposure limits may not be listed by every government, but general OSHA guidelines for aromatic amines give reference points. Environmental Regulation: Considered hazardous if spilled into environment. Must follow hazardous waste storage and disposal standards set by state, regional, and national authorities. Consult current national inventories and chemical notification requirements to confirm compliance.