Chemical Name: Isobutyraldehyde
Chemical Formula: C4H8O
CAS Number: 78-84-2
Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a sharp, pungent odor
Common Uses: Intermediate in the production of neopentyl glycol, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and various plasticizers
Physical State: Liquid
Primary Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor; may cause eye and skin irritation; vapor can cause respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2); Acute toxicity (oral, Category 4); Skin irritation (Category 2); Eye irritation (Category 2A); STOT SE (Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, health hazard
Substance: Isobutyraldehyde
Purity: Typically above 99% in industrial supply
Impurities: Trace quantities of n-butyraldehyde, water, and other minor organic compounds
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; monitor for respiratory distress; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Immediately wash contaminated skin with plenty of water; remove contaminated clothing; consult physician if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; continue rinsing; get medical attention promptly
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth; seek immediate medical advice; monitor airway and breathing
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, foam, or water spray in controlled situations
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jets may spread the fire
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating aldehyde fumes
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear due to risk of toxic vapors
Further Notes: Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air; containers can explode when heated
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area; keep away from sources of ignition; wear protective gloves, goggles, and suitable protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage; avoid release to sewers or waterways
Containment: Absorb spill with inert material like sand or earth; avoid direct contact with liquid
Cleanup Procedures: Collect residue in sealable containers for disposal; clean area with plenty of water after bulk removal
Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation; ground and bond containers during transfer to prevent static discharge; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, open flames, and incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and acids
Storage Temperature: Maintain below 30°C to prevent vapor build-up and pressure increases
Special Considerations: Keep separate from foods and animal feeds
Occupational Exposure Limits: In facilities, maintain airborne levels below regulatory thresholds using engineering controls; consult current ACGIH or OSHA values for formal limits
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust and general ventilation to minimize vapor exposure
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, solvent-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), flame-retardant lab coats, and, in poorly ventilated areas, use an approved organic vapor respirator
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Molecular Weight: 72.11 g/mol
Melting Point: −66°C
Boiling Point: 63°C
Flash Point: −17°C (closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 205°C
Vapor Pressure: 195 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 0.79 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility in Water: Moderately soluble; miscible with many organic solvents
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Sharp, pungent, characteristic aldehyde aroma
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; may polymerize if exposed to strong acids or bases
Possible Reactions: Reacts vigorously with strong oxidizers, acids, and alkalis
Hazardous Decomposition: Combustion produces carbon oxides and other irritating fumes
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, oxidizers, alkalis, amines
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, direct sunlight
Acute Effects: Inhalation can cause respiratory tract irritation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, or narcosis in high concentrations; skin contact causes defatting, redness, and discomfort; eye exposure leads to moderate to severe irritation
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure may lead to dermatitis and potential sensitization; evidence from animal testing for long-term systemic effects remains under review
LD50 (Oral, Rat): 1920 mg/kg (reported)
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: No significant data to show mutagenic or carcinogenic potential in standard assays; handle under prudent industrial hygiene standards
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment if released in quantity
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions, but in large spills oxygen demand may disrupt natural water systems
Bioaccumulation: Potential for bioaccumulation considered low due to relatively rapid breakdown
Mobility: Volatile liquid with potential for atmospheric release; can travel with runoff from spills
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate in specialized chemical incinerators equipped with afterburners and scrubbers; never pour unused material or residues into drains or open waterways
Container Disposal: Decontaminate and recycle or dispose of containers according to local, regional, and national regulations; avoid reuse of drums for unrelated purposes
Regulatory Factors: Disposal protocols must align with hazardous waste regulations to prevent environmental release and worker exposure
Proper Shipping Name: Isobutyraldehyde
UN Number: 1214
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: II
Special Provisions: Securely seal containers; segregate from incompatible goods; comply with international and national transport regulations for flammable liquids
International Compliance: Listed on major chemical regulatory inventories including those of the United States, EU, and key Asian markets
Labeling Requirements: GHS pictograms, signal words, hazard phrases all required under law
Occupational Safeguards: Regulations outline minimum PPE and hygiene requirements, workplace air quality limits, and emergency response provisions
Community Right-to-Know: Many regions require emission reporting and site notification for inventory above threshold quantities; transparent disclosure helps maintain public and workforce trust
