Ethyl isocyanate

Chemical properties

Ethyl Isocyanate is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor.

The Uses of Ethyl isocyanate

Ethyl isocyanate is part of a group of isocyanates that react with primary and secondary amines to form urea derivatives and carbamates. Ethyl isocyanate (among other isocyanate compounds, such as toluene isocyanate) are also thought to be the most common cause of occupational asthma.

The Uses of Ethyl isocyanate

Pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediate.

Definition

ChEBI: An isocyanate having an ethyl group attached to the nitrogen.

General Description

A colorless liquid. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Flash point below 30°F. May irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be lethal by Inhalation . Used to make pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water. Ethyl isocyanate may react with water to produce a corrosive liquid and carbon dioxide gas.

Reactivity Profile

When heated to decomposition Ethyl isocyanate emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1572].

Hazard

Strong irritant to tissue.

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Bromoacetates and chloroacetates are extremely irritating/lachrymators. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous route. Mutation data reported. A flammable liquid. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also CYANATES.

Potential Exposure

Ethyl isocyanate is used to make pharmaceuticals and pesticides

Shipping

UN2481 Ethyl isocyanate, Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard, 3-Flammable liquid, Inhalation Hazard Zone A. Cylinders must be transported in a secure upright position, in a well-ventilated truck. Protect cylinder and labels from physical damage. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to transport and refill them. It is a violation of transportation regulations to refill compressed gas cylinders without the express written permission of the owner.

Purification Methods

Fractionate the isocyanate through an efficient column preferably in an inert atmosphere and store it in aliquots in sealed tubes [Bieber J Am Chem Soc 74 4700 1952, Slocombe et al. J Am Chem Soc 72 1888 1950]. [Beilstein 4 IV 402.]

Incompatibilities

Vapor may form explosive mixture with air. May form explosive mixture with air. Isocyanates are highly flammable and reactive with many compounds, even with themselves. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Reaction with moist air, water or alcohols may form amines and insoluble polyureas and react exothermically, releasing toxic, corrosive or flammable gases, including carbon dioxide; and, at the same time, may generate a violent release of heat increasing the concentration of fumes in the air. Incompatible with amines, aldehydes, alkali metals, ammonia, carboxylic acids, caprolactum, alkaline materials, glycols, ketones, mercaptans, hydrides, organotin catalysts, phenols, strong acids, strong bases, strong reducing agents such as hydrides, urethanes, and ureas. Elevated temperatures or contact with acids, bases, tertiary amines, and acyl-chlorides may cause explosive polymerization. Contact Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors.