Material Safety Data Sheet: Bromoacetic Acid

Identification

Chemical name: Bromoacetic Acid
CAS number: 79-08-3
Synonyms: Monobromoacetic acid, α-Bromoacetic acid
Formula: C2H3BrO2
Molecular weight: 138.95 g/mol
Recommended use: Organic synthesis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical research
Supplier: Standard chemical supply and research providers
Contact information: Refer to supplier or lab safety coordinator for emergency support and detailed handling instructions

Hazard Identification

GHS classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) — Category 2; Skin corrosion/irritation — Category 1B; Serious eye damage/eye irritation — Category 1
Pictograms: Corrosive, Skull and Crossbones
Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements: Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled; Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary statements: Do not breathe dust, fumes, vapor; Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye protection, and face protection; Handle in fume hood or well-ventilated area; Wash hands and skin thoroughly after handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Bromoacetic Acid: Concentration 97–100%
Impurities: None considered significant for hazard classification
Other components: Not applicable; substance is not a mixture

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air; seek immediate medical help; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; artificial respiration if breathing stops
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately; rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; obtain urgent medical attention
Eye contact: Rinse eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes; lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally; call ophthalmologist or emergency services
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water if conscious; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; get emergency medical assistance at once

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable extinguishing media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical foam, or water spray
Specific hazards: Produces toxic and corrosive gases (hydrogen bromide, oxides of carbon) on combustion
Protective equipment: Use full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus; water spray can cool containers, but take care not to spread material
Advice for firefighters: Avoid inhaling vapors; prevent runoff from firefighting entering drains or water sources

Accidental Release Measures

Personal precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment (respirator, gloves, goggles, chemical suit); evacuate unnecessary personnel
Environmental precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, surface water, soil
Methods for cleanup: Absorb spill with inert material (sand, earth); use non-sparking tools; scoop up and place in chemical waste container; ventilate area; wash spill site after pickup and disposal

Handling and Storage

Safe handling: Keep container tightly closed; handle in chemical fume hood; avoid all contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; avoid inhaling vapors, dust, or mist
Storage conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area; segregate from acids, bases, and reducing agents; keep away from moisture and substances incompatible with strong acids; containers should be kept tightly sealed; store away from food or beverages

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits, but levels should be minimized
Engineering controls: Use chemical fume hood with proper ventilation; emergency eyewash and shower should stay accessible
Personal protective equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), splash-proof goggles, face shield, long-sleeved chemical-resistant lab coat, respiratory protection if airborne exposure risk exists
Hygiene practices: Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse; wash skin and hands thoroughly after work; avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow crystals or solid
Odor: Pungent
Melting point: 49–54°C
Boiling point: 208°C (decomposes)
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether
pH: Acidic (less than 1 for 1M solution)
Vapor pressure: 0.005 mm Hg (20°C)
Density: 1.891 g/cm³
Flash point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): -1.12
Auto-ignition temperature: Not available

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts violently with strong bases; incompatible with oxidizers, reducing agents, strong acids
Decomposition: Releases toxic fumes of hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Hazardous polymerization: Does not occur under normal conditions
Conditions to avoid: Moist air, heat, incompatible substances, open flame, ignition sources

Toxicological Information

Acute toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 125 mg/kg; highly toxic via skin, ingestion, inhalation
Skin corrosion/irritation: Causes severe burns
Serious eye damage/irritation: Causes blindness or severe eye injury upon contact
Respiratory effects: Inhalation causes burns to respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, risk of death
Chronic effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure leads to dermatitis, respiratory difficulties
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other hazards: No known reproductive or developmental toxicity documented

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments
Persistence and degradability: Not readily biodegradable; persists in water and soil
Bioaccumulative potential: Low due to low log Kow; does not significantly accumulate in organisms
Mobility in soil: Expected to have high mobility in soil due to water solubility
Other adverse effects: Avoid unintentional release into natural water bodies due to risk of water toxicity and acidification

Disposal Considerations

Waste management: Collect in tightly closed, clearly labeled containers; send to hazardous chemical disposal center; do not dump in drains, sewers, or environment
Contaminated packaging: Treat as hazardous waste; follow local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous material disposal
Special precautions: Neutralize liquids with alkali before disposal to minimize risk; avoid any direct handling of waste, use PPE

Transport Information

UN number: UN1938
Proper shipping name: Bromoacetic acid
Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances), 8 (Corrosives)
Packing group: I (high danger)
Marine pollutant: Yes
Special transport precautions: Protect package from physical damage, moisture, and temperature extremes; vehicles and containers should display appropriate hazard signs

Regulatory Information

Safety, health and environmental regulations: Subject to OSHA hazardous chemical regulations; listed on TSCA Inventory; subject to SARA Title III (Section 313) reporting; not regulated as carcinogen, but classified as acute toxic and corrosive; environmental regulations may restrict large releases or disposal; check local and state regulations for specific handling and notification requirements