Page 20 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

10 ACRYLONII‘RILE

96); N, N’-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (0.05 $6).
ACRYLONITRTLE
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Cyanoethylene, Fumigrain, Ventox, Vinyl Cyanide; Chemical
Fornula: C&=CHCN.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as normully shipped): Liquid; Color: Colorless; Odor:
Mild; pungent, resembling that of peach seed kernels.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 “c and 1 am. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
53.06; Boiling Point at 1 atm.: 171, 77.4, 350.6; Freezing Point: -118, -83.6, 189.6; Critical
Temperature ( F,, X): 505, 263, 536; Critical Pressure: 660, 45, 4.6; Specific Gravity: 0.8075 at
20°C (liquid); Vapor (Gas) Density: 1.8; Ratio of Speci@c Heats of Vapor (Gas): 1.151; Latent Heat
of Vaporization: 265, 147, 6.16; Heat of Combustion: -14,300, -7930, -332; Heat ofDecomposition:
Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Air-supplied mask,
industrial chemical type, with approved canister for acrilonitrile in low (less than 2%) concentrations;
rubber or plastic gloves; cover goggles or face mask; rubber boots; slicker suit; safety helmet;
Symptoms Following Exposure: Similar to those of hydrogen cyanide. Vapor inhalation may cause
weakness, headache, sneezing, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Similar symptoms shown if large
amounts of liquid are absorbed through the skin; lesser amounts cause stinging and sometime blisters;
contact with eyes causes severe irritation. Ingestion produced nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain;
General Treafmnt for Exposure: Skilled medical treatment is necessary; call physician for all cases of
exposure. INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air. (Wear an oxygen or fresh-air-supplied mask
when entering contaminated area). INGESTION: induce vomiting by administering strong solution of
salt water, but only if victim is conscious. SKIN: remove contaminated clothing and wash affected area
thoroughly with soap and water. EYES: hold eyelids apart and wash with continuous gentle stream of
water for at least 15 min., If victim is not breathing, give artificial respiration until physician arrives.
If he is unconscious, crush an amyl nitrite ampule in a cloth and hold it under his nose for 15 seconds
in every minute. Do not interrupt artificial respiration while doing this. Replace ampule when its
strength is spent and continue treatment until condition improves or physician arrives; Toxicity by
Inhalation (ThresholdLimit Value): 20 ppm; Short-Tern Exposure Limits: 40 ppm for 30 min.; Toxicity
by Ingestion: Grade 3; LD,, 50 to 500 mglkg (rat, guinea pig); Late Toxicity: Data not available; Vqor
(Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapor is moderately irritating such that personnel will not usually
tolerate moderate or high vapor concentrations; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: If spilled on
clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of the skin. Large amounts may be
absorbed through the skin and cause poisoning; Odor Threshold: 21.4 ppm (Sense of smell fatigues
rapidly).
Fire Hazards - Flush Point (deg. F): 30 CC; 31 OC; Flammable Limits in Air (a): 3.05 - 17.0; Fire
fitinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, alcohol foam, carbon dioxide; Fire EKtinguishing Agents Not To
Be Used Water or foam may cause frothing; Special Hazards of Combustion Products: When heated
or burned, ACN may evolve toxic hydrogen cyanide gas and oxides of nitrogen; Behavior in Fire:
Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back.
May polymerize and explode; Ignition Tempemture (deg. F): 898; Electrical Hazard Class I, Group
D; Burning Rate: Data not available.
Chemical Reactivity -Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: Attacks
copper and copper alloys; these metals should not be used. Penetrates.leather, so contaminated leather
shoes and gloves should be destroyed. Attacks aluminum in high concentrations; Stability During
Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: May
occur spontaneously in absence of oxygen or on exposure to visible light or excessive heat, violently
in the presence of alkali. Pure ACN is subject to polymerization with rapid pressure development. The
commercial product is inhibited and not subject to this reaction; Inhibitor of Polymerization:
Methylhydroquinone (35 - 45 ppm).