© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: Propylene carbonate
Chemical Formula: C4H6O3
Common Uses: Solvent in lithium batteries, paint strippers, plastic manufacturing, and cosmetic formulations
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Faint odor, slightly sweet
Synonyms: 4-Methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, PC
Relevant Industry: Electronics, paints and coatings, chemical processing, cosmetics
Primary Hazards: Eye and skin irritation, mild respiratory tract irritation when aerosolized
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under normal conditions, but may pose irritation risks with excessive exposure
Route of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation of mist, accidental ingestion
Symptoms: Redness, burning in eyes or on skin, coughing if inhaled in vaporized or aerosolized forms
Main Component: Propylene carbonate (typically >99%)
Impurities: Trace solvents or manufacturing residues, rarely above 1%
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for several minutes, remove contact lenses, continue rinsing if irritation persists, seek medical attention when necessary
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and plenty of water, remove contaminated clothing, monitor for persistent irritation
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms such as coughing or dizziness continue
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek prompt medical care if large quantities swallowed
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray
Fire Hazards: Combustible in large quantities, may emit irritating fumes or carbon oxides if burned
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing to avoid inhaling fumes
Special Procedures: Move containers from fire if safe, use water spray to cool containers susceptible to heat
Personal Precautions: Use protective gloves, goggles, and avoid inhalation of mist
Spill Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material such as sand, place in chemical waste container
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, soil, or waterways
Ventilate Area: Increase airflow to disperse vapors and lower inhalation risk
Safe Handling: Avoid contact with eyes and skin, use only with adequate ventilation, do not breathe vapor or spray
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, keep cool and dry, separate from strong acids or bases, avoid sources of ignition
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers and alkalies can react and degrade the compound
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation in areas where vapors or spray are generated
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves made from nitrile, chemical-resistant safety glasses, laboratory coat or apron
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators in poorly ventilated spaces or during spills
Environmental Controls: Dispose of rinse waters and process waste in compliance with municipal regulations
Physical State: Liquid
Boiling Point: About 242°C
Melting Point: -49°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, soluble in organic solvents
Flash Point: 132°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Density: Approximately 1.20 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH: Neutral (around 7) when in water
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and use conditions
Hazardous Reactions: Decomposes with strong acids, bases or oxidizers; heating above recommended storage temperatures can increase pressure in closed containers
Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides under fire or extreme heat
Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral toxicity, mild eye and skin irritation in animal studies
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure data limited, low likelihood of sensitization or systemic toxicity through typical use
Carcinogenicity: Not identified as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Experience-Based Notes: Casual, incidental skin contact in industrial and laboratory settings often produces no evidence of chronic harm
Aquatic Toxicity: Not considered acutely toxic to aquatic organisms, but large spills could harm aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: Product degrades in the environment, not considered persistent
Bioaccumulation Potential: Unlikely to bioaccumulate, low log Kow values observed in studies
Environmental Release: Responsible users avoid intentional release and strive for waste reduction and proper containment
Disposal Methods: Dispose as hazardous organic waste per local and national regulations, incineration preferred if available
Waste Management: Dilution into large municipal wastewater systems largely discouraged, avoid discharge into surface water
Recycling Potential: Some recovery and recycling possible in closed process systems or large-scale operations
Proper Shipping Name: Propylene carbonate, not regulated in small packages for ground or air transport
Packaging: Must be sealed tightly, leak-proof, and clearly labeled
Special Precautions: For bulk shipments, placard vehicles as required for organic liquids, include safety data sheets with all shipments
Global Inventories: Listed on major chemical inventories including TSCA, EINECS, and ENCS
Labeling Requirements: Provide appropriate hazard symbols and risk phrases where regulation calls for them
Worker Protection: Follow OSHA requirements in the US, maintain compliance with EU REACH reporting where relevant
Waste Classification: Classified as hazardous waste unless demonstrated to be diluted and non-hazardous by specific analysis
