Chemical Name: Propiophenone
Synonyms: 1-Phenyl-1-propanone
Chemical Formula: C9H10O
CAS Number: 93-55-0
Main Hazards: Irritation to eyes and skin, harmful if swallowed, may cause respiratory discomfort.
Signal Word: Warning
Labeling Elements: Exclamation mark pictogram often appears, signaling acute toxicity and irritation risks.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapor, mist or dust, wear eye and face protection, keep away from open flames.
Component: Propiophenone
Purity: Tends to be available in high purity laboratory or industrial grades due to reactivity concerns in synthetic work.
Impurities: Benzyl compounds and related aromatic ketones sometimes slip in depending on synthesis route.
Inhalation: Get to fresh air right away, support breathing if discomfort develops.
Skin Contact: Wash with a good amount of soap and water if there's any direct splash or contact.
Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water for up to fifteen minutes, remove contact lenses.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, try not to induce vomiting unless medical staff direct otherwise.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: CO2, foam, and dry chemical work best for small liquid fires involving aromatic ketones.
Fire Hazards: Flammable vapors form above room temperature and collect in low spaces.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus due to toxic fumes generated during combustion.
Combustion Products: Hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide and phenyl derivatives may be present in smoke.
Personal Precautions: Don gloves and goggles immediately in case of a spill due to skin and eye risk.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent discharge into soil or open water since aromatic compounds linger and bioaccumulate.
Cleanup Methods: Contain with inert materials like sand, clean up using tools that won't create dust, ventilate area thoroughly.
Handling: Transfer only in well-ventilated rooms or fume hoods, avoid any unnecessary contact.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in a cool, dry spot well away from acids and oxidizers.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents usually spell trouble for aromatic ketones, creating potential fire or toxic byproducts.
Engineering Controls: Good local exhaust ventilation really lessens risk during weighing and mixing.
Personal Protection: Nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and chemical-resistant clothing protect from liquid splash.
Respiratory Protection: Air-purifying respirators make sense when vapor levels rise during large-scale use or spills.
Exposure Limits: Specific legal exposure limits for propiophenone rarely exist, underscoring the value of workplace air monitoring.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid.
Odor: Sweet, floral, sometimes likened to acetophenone with an edge.
Boiling Point: Settles around 219–221°C.
Melting Point: Clocks in at roughly -20°C.
Solubility: Soluble in ethanol, ether, and organic solvents, sparingly soluble in water.
Density: About 1.008 g/cm³ at 25°C.
Vapor Pressure: Low to moderate at room temperature.
Chemical Stability: Stays stable in closed containers under typical lab and workroom temperatures.
Conditions to Avoid: Strong heat, light, and any open flame or ignition source.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, mineral acids, bases.
Hazardous Reactions: Can kick off exothermic reactions or create hazardous gases during improper mixing.
Routes of Exposure: Main risk comes from inhaling vapor, accidental skin or eye contact.
Acute Effects: Irritation of mucous membranes, drowsiness or dizziness if inhaled in quantity, possible nausea on ingestion.
Chronic Effects: Persistent skin exposure potentially leads to dermatitis.
Carcinogenicity: No hard data links propiophenone to cancer in humans, but prudent handling makes sense given the aromatic structure.
Toxicity Data: Animal studies flag moderate toxicity, though not on the high end for organic solvents.
Ecotoxicity: Aromatic compounds often resist breakdown and perturb aquatic ecosystems; fish and invertebrates face risks with direct exposure.
Persistence and Degradability: Propiophenone, like most aryl ketones, sits well above easy natural breakdown rates in soil and water.
Bioaccumulation: May concentrate in organisms over time due to slow degradation and lipid solubility.
Mobility in Soil: Low volatility, but spills seep into soil if given the chance, tainting groundwater faster than one would expect.
Precautionary Measures: Collect and dispose of all residues—better safe than sorry for both health and the planet.
Waste Handling: Gather all solutions, solids, and contaminated debris in clearly labeled containers.
Disposal Methods: Hand off to hazardous waste contractors—open dumping or sewering might lead to significant community risks.
Regulatory Context: In many places, burning or landfilling organic chemical waste without treatment draws steep penalties.
Transportation Hazards: Flammable and irritant tags apply, whether shipping by road, rail, or air.
Packaging: Robust, leak-proof drums or bottles survive the knocks of courier and forklift routines.
Accident Response: Emergency kits and up-to-date safety data should travel alongside any sizable shipment.
Chemical Inventories: Listed on inventories in major economies such as the US TSCA and EU REACH.
Labelling Requirements: Proper chemical hazard labeling usually mandated by local and international rules.
Additional Restrictions: Propiophenone's status as a controlled precursor in some jurisdictions means recordkeeping takes on legal urgency.