Page 259 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

METHYL ACETATE 249

Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped): Solid; Color: Light cream; white to light
yellow; Odor: Slightly fruity.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 'C and I am. : Solid; Molecular Weight:
345.7; Boiling Point at I atm.: Not pertinent (decomposes); Freezing Point: 171 - 192, 77 - 89, 350 -
362; Critical Temperature: Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; Specific Gravity: 1.41 at
25 "C (solid); Vapor (Gas) Specific Gravity: Not pertinent; Ratio @Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not
pertinent; Latent Heat of Vaporization: Not pertinent; Heat @ Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat of
Decomposition: Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Dust respirator if
needed; gloves and goggles; Symptoms Following Exposure: Toxicity is relatively low. Inhalation or
ingestion causes generalized depression; General Treatment for Exposure: EYES: flush with water if
irritated. SKIN wash well with soap and water. INGESTION: consult physician; Toxicity by Inhalation
(Threshold Limit Value): 10 mg/m3; Short-Tern Inhalation Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by
Ingestion: Grade 1; LD,, 5 to 15 g/kg; Lute Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor (Gas) Irritant
Characteristics: Data not available; Liquid or Solid Im'tant Characteristics: Data not available; Odor
7kreshold: Not pertinent.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Burns only at high temperatures. For liquid forms, see Kerosene;
Flammable Limits in Air (W): Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, foam, dry chemical,
carbon dioxide; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: Not pertinent; Special Hazards of
Combustion Prodmts: Irritating and toxic hydrogen chloride gas may be formed in fire; Behavior in
Fire: Not pertinent; Ignition Temperature : Not pertinent; Electrical Hazard: Not pertinent; Burning
Rate: Not pertinent.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No
reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent;
Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

METWL ACETATE
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Acetic acid, methyl ester; Chemical Fonnula: CH,COOCH,.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped): Liquid; Color: Colorless; Odor: Slightly
acrid, sweet; fragrant.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 'C and I am. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
74.1; Boiling Point at I am.: 134.6, 57.0, 330.2; Freezing Point: -145.3, -98.5, 174.7; Critical
Temperature: 452.7, 233.7, 506.9; Critical Pressure: 666, 45.3, 4.60; Specific Gravity: 0.927 at 20
"C (liquid); Vapor (Gas) Specific Gravity: 2.8; Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas): 1.1192; Latent
Heat of Vaporization: 174,97,4.1; Heat of Combustion: 9,260, 5,150,215; Heat of Decomposition:
Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Air mask or organic
canister mask; goggles or face shield; Qmptoms Following Eqosure: (Very similar to those of methyl
alcohol, which constitutes 20% of commercial grade.) Inhalation causes headache, fatigue, and
drowsiness; high concentrations can produce central nervous system depression and optic nerve
damage. Liquid irritates eyes and may cause defatting and cracking of skin. Ingestion causes headache,
dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue; may cause severe eye damage; General Treamzent for Exposure:
INHALATION: remove victim from affected area; if breathing has ceased, apply artificial respiration;
call doctor. EYES: irrigate thoroughly with clear water for 15 min. and call doctor. SKIN: wash
affected area with water. INGESTION: get medical attention for methyl alcohol poisoning; Toxicity
by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 200 ppm; Short-Term Inhalation Limits: 400 ppm for 5 min.;
Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 2; oral LD, = 3,700 mg/kg (rabbit); Lute Toxicity: Optic nerve may be
damaged following overexposure to vapor or liquid; Vapor (Gas) Irritm Characteristics: Vapors cause
moderate irritation such that personnel will find high concentrations unpleasant. The effect is
temporary; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: No appreciable hazard. Practically harmless to the
skin; Odor 7kreshoM: Data not available.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point (deg. F): 22 OC; 14 CC; Flammable Limits in Air (Sa): 3.1 - 16; Fire