Material Safety Data Sheet: 1-Chlorohexadecane

Identification

Product Name: 1-Chlorohexadecane
Chemical Formula: C16H33Cl
CAS Number: 4860-03-1
Synonyms: Hexadecyl chloride, Cetyl chloride
Recommended Use: Industrial and laboratory chemical applications
Supplier: Check local distributor or chemical provider details
Emergency Contact: Local poison control center or emergency chemical response team

Hazard Identification

Classification: Irritant; Harmful if swallowed or inhaled; May cause skin and eye irritation
Label Elements: Warning symbol, hazard statement, precautionary statement
Health Hazards: Can damage mucous membranes; Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis or other skin changes
Fire and Reactivity Hazards: Combustible; fumes may contain hydrochloric acid
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life; avoid release into groundwater or soil

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 1-Chlorohexadecane
Concentration: ≥98% pure
Impurities: Trace aliphatic hydrocarbons
Hazardous Components: None besides main compound

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air at once; seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present; continue rinsing and get medical help
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth and get immediate medical assistance
Symptoms of Exposure: Irritation to eyes, nose, throat; cough; nausea; headache

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, sand
Unsuitable Media: Water jets may spread substance and cause splattering
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, phosgene gas
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant gear
Addition Notes: Cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent rupture

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, goggles, and mask; avoid inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into drains, sewers, and waterways
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material such as sand; collect and place in sealed chemical waste container
Decontamination: Wash spill area with plenty of water and detergent; ventilate area

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas; handle with chemical-resistant gloves and safety eyewear
Avoid: Breathing fumes, prolonged contact with skin, open flames, heat sources
Storage: Store in tightly sealed, labelled containers; keep cool, dry, and away from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers or acids
Storage Temperature: 2–8°C for long-term stability
Technical Precautions: Ground and bond containers if transferring large quantities

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No official occupational exposure limits established; minimize exposure with engineering controls
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation; chemical fume hood for laboratory scale
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, goggles, face shield, suitable respirator if ventilation insufficient
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating or using restroom; remove contaminated clothing and clean before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid
Odor: Slightly pungent, characteristic chlorinated hydrocarbon scent
Odor Threshold: Not established
Boiling Point: Roughly 325–335°C
Melting Point: 19–23°C
Flash Point: Over 100°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Slow
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water; miscible with organic solvents like ether, chloroform, and alcohol
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 8.97
Viscosity: Moderate for an oily liquid
Density: 0.86–0.88 g/cm³ at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling temperatures
Reactivity: Low under normal use conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, alkali metals, aluminum powders
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon oxides
Potentially Hazardous Reactions: Contact with water releases HCl gas at high temperatures

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal contact, oral exposure
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) > 2000 mg/kg (estimated)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate skin irritation on prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe eye irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: Can induce coughing and breathing difficulties in sensitive individuals
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposures can cause defatting of skin, dermatitis, and possible liver effects
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by OSHA, IARC, NTP, or ACGIH
Mutagenicity: No data found; not expected to be mutagenic
Reproductive Toxicity: No specific data

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life; low water solubility limits bioavailability but strong tendency to persist
Persistence and Degradability: Persistent in soil and sediment; slow to degrade in aquatic conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Significant; high log Kow value points to bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility due to hydrophobic nature; likely to adsorb to sediments
Other Adverse Effects: No data on ozone depleting properties

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Combine absorbed material with a combustable solvent and incinerate in approved chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber
Contaminated Containers: Triple rinse, puncture, and deliver to hazardous waste collection site
Special Precautions: Avoid contamination of water sources; local and federal disposal regulations must be followed strictly
Unusable Material: Do not flush into sewer systems or allow to enter natural waterways

Transport Information

UN Number: 1993 (if transported as flammable liquid, n.o.s.)
Proper Shipping Name: Chloroalkanes, liquid
Hazard Class: 3 (flammable liquid, as assigned); consult specific regulations
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Labeling: Flammable liquid diamond; marine pollutant mark
Special Precautions: Use tightly sealed drums with leakproof closures; verify transport vehicle compliance with safety codes

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not listed specifically; general chemical safety applies
TSCA Inventory: Included
REACH Status (EU): Registration required if handled in bulk
SARA Title III (Sections 302/313): Not listed
California Prop 65: Not listed
Chemical Inventory Listings: Listed under several international chemical inventories
Labeling Requirements: Signal word “Warning” and precautionary statements concerning health and flammability