Product Name: Acetonitrile
Chemical Formula: C2H3N
Synonyms: Methyl cyanide, Ethanenitrile
CAS Number: 75-05-8
Recommended Use: Industrial solvent, analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals production
Manufacturer Details: Name, address, emergency contact number, and supplier information
Emergency Response Number: Provided by chemical supplier or local authorities
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2), Acute toxicity - oral (Category 4), Acute toxicity - inhalation (Category 3), Eye irritation (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, Harmful if swallowed, Toxic if inhaled, Causes eye irritation
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark, Skull and crossbones
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat and open flames, Wash hands thoroughly after handling, Wear eye protection and gloves, Avoid breathing vapor or spray
Chemical Name: Acetonitrile
Concentration: Approximately 99.9%
Impurities: Water (less than 0.1%), trace heavy metals
Hazardous Components: Only acetonitrile at this purity presents significant hazard, all other trace impurities are below regulatory concern limits
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, call healthcare professional if irritation or symptoms develop
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep person warm and at rest, administer oxygen if breathing becomes difficult, obtain immediate medical advice
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek medical attention without delay
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, respiratory distress, possible loss of consciousness with severe exposure
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water stream, risk of spreading the fire
Special Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, toxic gases (hydrogen cyanide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide) may release during combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Additional Advice: Cool unopened containers with water spray to prevent rupture due to heat
Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel to safe areas, use personal protective equipment, ventilate affected area
Spill Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), transfer to suitable container for disposal, wash spill site after material pickup
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into sewers, soil, or natural water sources
Reporting Requirements: Report significant releases to appropriate local authorities as required by regulations
Handling Advice: Use only in well-ventilated spaces, avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not inhale vapors or mist
Storage Conditions: Store away from ignition sources, in tightly sealed containers, in a cool and dry environment
Incompatibilities: Keep separate from strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, and heat sources
Other Precautions: Use only non-sparking tools, ground/bond containers during transfer, keep containers tightly closed
Occupational Exposure Limits: TLV (ACGIH): 20 ppm, OSHA PEL: 40 ppm
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, safety shower and eyewash stations in work area
Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), safety goggles, flame-retardant lab coat
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if exposure limits are exceeded, especially during spills or limited ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact, do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, wash hands before breaks and at end of shift
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Faint, ether-like smell
Boiling Point: 81.6°C
Melting Point: -44°C
Flash Point: 2°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 9.7 kPa at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water and most organic solvents
Density: 0.786 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH: Neutral (not applicable in pure form)
Evaporation Rate: 5.79 (butyl acetate = 1)
Reactivity: Not highly reactive in stable conditions, may react violently with strong oxidizing agents
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Possible Hazardous Reactions: Generates toxic hydrogen cyanide gas with acids, forms flammable vapor-air mixtures
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, incompatible materials
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide during thermal decomposition
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 2460 mg/kg, Inhalation LC50 (rat 4h) 16.7 mg/L
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure affects central nervous system, liver, and kidneys
Symptoms of Exposure: Headache, weakness, confusion, cyanosis, difficulty breathing
Sensitization: No known sensitizing effects
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Reproductive Effects: No reliable data available for significant genotoxic or teratogenic risk on humans in occupational settings
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, EC50 (Daphnia magna, 48 h) 680 mg/L
Persistence/Degradability: Moderately biodegradable, breaks down under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low bioaccumulation potential due to good water solubility
Soil Mobility: High mobility in soil, risk of groundwater contamination if released
Other Effects: Rapid evaporation from water and soil, breakdown products could be more toxic to some aquatic species
Methods of Disposal: Incineration in approved chemical waste facility
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse empty containers before recycling or disposal, follow local regulations
Special Considerations: Do not pour unused product down the drain, offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to licensed disposal company
Hazardous Waste Code: D001 (ignitable waste, USA); confirm with local hazardous waste rules
UN Number: UN 1648
Proper Shipping Name: Acetonitrile
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II (medium hazard)
Labels Required: Flammable liquid
Special Precautions: Keep containers upright and secure, ensure ventilation, transport by authorized carriers following international and national regulations
US Regulations: Listed on TSCA inventory, subject to OSHA hazardous chemical requirements
EU Regulations: Classified as dangerous substance according to CLP/REACH, requires safety data sheet under REACH Article 31
Canada: Listed on DSL/NDSL, subject to WHMIS classification B2 (Flammable), D1B (Toxic)
International Inventory: Listed in Australia AICS, Japan ENCS, Korea ECL, Philippines PICCS, China IECSC
Other Requirements: User training and risk assessment documentation mandatory in all workspaces handling the product
General Note: For butyronitrile, propionitrile, benzonitrile, and adiponitrile, hazard classes and controls closely align with acetonitrile. Each exhibits flammability, acute toxicity, and forms toxic combustion gases. Identification (CAS, trade name), exposure limits, decomposition products, and disposal methods map closely to those above, though physical data varies by chain length or aromatic/alkanenitrile character. Always consult chemical-specific supplier SDS before use or handling.