Vinyl chloroacetate

Chemical properties

Vinyl chloroacetate is a colorless clear liquid, almost insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol, carbon tetrachloride, ether, dimethylformamide and benzene. Irritating to skin and eyes. Corrosive. Slowly hydrolyzed to produce chloroacetic acid, which has an ecological impact. It can be used as a raw material for making methacrylic fibers with good affinity for acid dyes.

The Uses of Vinyl chloroacetate

Vinyl chloroacetate was used to study the effect of the electron-withdrawing groups on the ligand in a series of bis(acetylacetonate)cobalt(II) derivatives.

General Description

Vinyl chloroacetate appears as a colorless to light yellow colored liquid. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Vinyl chloroacetate reacts with acids to liberate heat. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing with alkali metals and hydrides.

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.