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Chemical Name: Triethyl Citrate
Synonyms: Citric acid, triethyl ester
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Faint and pleasant, reminiscent of fruit
Uses: Food additive, pharmaceutical excipient, cosmetic plasticizer, a component in deodorants, flavorings, and coatings.
Chemical Formula: C12H20O7
Molecular Weight: 276.28 g/mol
GHS Classification: Most sources list it as not classified as hazardous under current GHS regulations
Hazard Pictograms: None typically required for common uses
Signal Word: None
Main Hazards: Not known to cause acute toxicity under normal usage. At higher concentrations or accidental exposure to eyes or ingestion by children, mild irritation may occur. Not a combustible hazard, but will burn at high enough temperatures.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid direct eye contact. Prevent excessive inhalation of concentrated vapors. Regular hygiene practices recommended.
Ingredient: Triethyl Citrate (CAS: 77-93-0)
Purity: Generally over 99% for commercial applications
Impurities: Minor traces of related citrate esters may appear in technical grades, but typically present at safe levels.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If breathing issues surface, seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Wash with moderate soap and water. Sensitive individuals may notice slight redness.
Eye Contact: Rinse meticulously with clean water. Remove contacts if present. Medical help if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Minimal toxicity expected at amounts likely to be encountered outside a workplace incident. Visit a healthcare professional if symptoms occur or large amounts swallowed.
Note to Physicians: Treat symptoms. No specific antidote needed.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam, water spray
Special Hazards: Heavier vapors may accumulate in low areas when burning. Combustion yields carbon oxides.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use standard personal protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus.
Advice for Surroundings: Cool tanks and containers threatened by fire with water spray from a safe distance.
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, chemical-resistant goggles, and minimize skin contact. Good ventilation recommended. Entry into confined areas requires care.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from reaching drains, surface waters, or soil in the event of large spills.
Cleanup Methods: Soak up small spills with inert absorbent like sand or earth. Remove material using non-sparking tools. Wash contaminated area with plenty of water.
Disposal: Place waste in appropriate chemical containers for authorized disposal.
Handling: Avoid splashing and unnecessary exposure. Maintain airtight sealing on unused containers.
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated locations, shielded from direct sunlight and incompatible chemicals such as strong acids or bases.
Incompatibilities: Substantial reactivity only shows up with strong oxidizers or acidic/basic agents.
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limit established in most countries for triethyl citrate.
Engineering Controls: Regular room ventilation is sufficient unless working with large quantities.
Personal Protective Equipment: Basic laboratory gloves and safety glasses for typical handling. No respirators needed with routine use unless excessive vapors accumulate during manufacturing or fire response.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and exposed skin before breaks and after handling. Avoid touching face and eyes before removing gloves and washing up.
Physical State: Liquid at room temperature
Color: Clear, colorless to faint yellow
Odor: Mild, pleasant
Boiling Point: Roughly 294°C (561°F)
Melting Point: -46°C (-51°F)
Density: Approximately 1.14 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with most organic solvents; limited solubility in water
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature
Flash Point: Around 160°C (320°F)
Viscosity: Low to medium for an organic ester
pH: Not applicable (nearly neutral in solution)
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under recommended storage and handling methods.
Reactivity: Not prone to hazardous reactions under standard conditions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: When heated to decomposition, releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly small oxides of nitrogen.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid extreme heat, open flame, and contact with strong oxidizing chemicals.
Acute Exposure: Low oral and dermal toxicity. No significant health effects in well-documented animal studies at doses likely to occur in manufacturing or consumer use.
Chronic Exposure: No recognized hazard with chronic, occupational exposure. Not classified as a carcinogen.
Other Effects: Eye and skin contact may lead to mild irritation in some individuals.
Sensitization: Reports of allergic reaction are rare.
LD50 (oral, rat): Above 5,000 mg/kg, suggesting low acute toxicity.
Aquatic Effects: Not considered acutely toxic to aquatic life. Readily biodegradable in standard environmental tests.
Mobility: Expected to have some mobility in soil and water, reflecting moderate solubility.
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly broken down by natural biological processes, with minimal risk of buildup.
Bioaccumulation: Studies show low potential for accumulation in aquatic species.
Waste Disposal: Handle as chemical waste, following facility protocols and local regulations.
Container Management: Empty containers should be triple rinsed and recycled or disposed under official chemical disposal guidelines.
Environmental Release: Do not release into the environment, especially in concentrated or bulk quantities.
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods by most ground, air, or water carriers
Proper Shipping Name: Triethyl Citrate
Packing Group: Not assigned for this chemical
Transport Hazard Class: None
Special Transport Notes: Avoid excessive heat, rough handling, and incompatible cargo.
Registration: Approved for use as a food additive by major regulators including the FDA and EFSA, subject to maximum permitted levels.
Workplace Regulation: Most labor agencies do not list exposure limits due to low hazard profile.
Environmental Regulation: Generally accepted as readily biodegradable and low hazard.
Classification: Not listed as a hazardous chemical under current OSHA, REACH, or WHMIS classifications.
