Material Safety Data Sheet: 1,4-Dichlorobutane

Identification

Product Name: 1,4-Dichlorobutane
Synonyms: Tetramethylene dichloride, Butane-1,4-diyl dichloride, 1,4-DCB
Chemical Formula: C4H8Cl2
CAS Number: 110-56-5
Recommended Use: Chemical intermediate, laboratory reagent, industrial applications
Supplier Details: Manufacturer contact, emergency phone number, address provided on request through supplier, covers logistics for large-scale and laboratory shipment alike

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Flammable liquids (Category 3), Acute toxicity (Category 4, inhalation and oral), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (Category 3, respiratory system)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor; causes skin and eye irritation; harmful if inhaled or swallowed; may cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from open flames, sparks, and hot surfaces; avoid breathing vapor or mist; wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection; use only with adequate ventilation; wash hands thoroughly after handling; if inhaled, remove to fresh air
Hazard Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Potential Acute Health Effects: Throat and lung irritation, stomach upset, dizziness, reddening of eyes and skin, coughing, headaches
Potential Chronic Health Effects: Prolonged exposure may lead to liver, kidney, nervous system effects as observed in occupational studies and animal testing

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 1,4-Dichlorobutane
CAS Number: 110-56-5
Concentration: 98–100% (w/w) pure
Impurities: Trace chlorinated butanes, water (<0.5%), unreacted starting materials
Additives: None (reagent grade), research and industrial supply grades available, no stabilizers present

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air at once; seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or coughing; provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water for several minutes; consult a physician if irritation develops; launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Eye Contact: Rinse opened eyes under gentle running water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids as needed; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek medical attention promptly
Ingestion: Rinse mouth without inducing vomiting unless directed by medical personnel; do not give anything by mouth if victim is unconscious; immediate professional medical assistance recommended
Symptoms to Watch For: Coughing, nausea, drowsiness, burning sensation in eyes and skin, respiratory distress, signs of CNS depression
Emergency Equipment: Eyewash stations and safety showers nearby work area

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam to put out small fires; for large fires, water spray or fog can limit spread, but avoid direct water jets
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases hydrogen chloride and phosgene gases at high temperature; carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide fumes possible
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Unusual Fire Hazards: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air; heavier-than-air vapor can travel along surfaces to ignition source causing flashback
Specific Methods: Cool nearest containers with water spray to prevent overpressure and explosion; isolate fire area to keep out unnecessary personnel
Sensitivity: Sensitive to static discharge, heat, open flames, sparks; containers exposed to fire may rupture explosively

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel; ensure adequate ventilation; restrict access to area until fully ventilated and cleaned up
Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, impermeable clothing, respirator if vapor levels high
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains, soil, water sources; notify authorities if environmental contamination occurs
Spill Cleanup Methods: Small spills: absorb with inert material like sand or vermiculite, then place in safe chemical waste container; large spills: dike ahead and use qualified response team;
Decontamination: Wash contaminated area with soap and water after material is removed; ventilate affected area; monitor air for safe vapor levels before re-entry

Handling and Storage

Handling Requirements: Handle in well-ventilated chemical fume hood or with proper local exhaust; avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing; keep containers tightly closed; avoid breathing vapors; ground and bond all containers during transfer to reduce static risk; never use in confined or poorly ventilated spaces
Storage Conditions: Store in original tightly closed containers away from incompatible substances (strong oxidizers, alkali metals, acids); keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat or ignition sources; store under lock/key access in chemical safety cabinet rated for flammable chemicals;
Storage Temperature: Keep below ambient temperature; prevent freezing and elevated heat
Container Requirements: Use corrosion-proof containers clearly labeled for hazardous contents
Work Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke near chemical; wash hands thoroughly after use; implement regular inspection of containers for leaks

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No ACGIH TLV or OSHA PEL established; recommended internal workplace limit for airborne concentrations <1 ppm as time-weighted average
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood or local exhaust; emergency eyewash and safety shower accessible in work zone
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves, splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shield, flame-resistant lab coat or coveralls, full-length pants, closed shoes;
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved organic vapor respirator if engineering controls insufficient;
Hygiene Practices: Remove contaminated clothing promptly, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes, wash any exposed areas thoroughly
Environmental Exposure Controls: Provide containment and treatment for potential released vapors; use spill containment trays

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, sweetish, chloroform-like scent
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Not applicable (neutral, non-aqueous liquid)
Melting Point / Freezing Point: −48 °C
Boiling Point: 161–163 °C
Flash Point: 55 °C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Below standard reference fluids
Flammability (Solid, Gas): Not applicable (liquid)
Upper/Lower Flammability or Explosive Limits: Not precisely established; estimated LEL 2.6%, UEL 10% (vapor in air)
Vapor Pressure: 2 mmHg @ 25°C
Vapor Density: 4.1 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.110 @ 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (3.7 g/L), miscible with most organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): log Kow ~2.2
Autoignition Temperature: 320 °C
Decomposition Temperature: Unstable above 200°C
Viscosity: 1.17 mPa.s @ 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard laboratory and storage temperatures with proper containment; handles gentle heating well but degrades with high heat
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, acids, alkali metals to generate hazardous chlorinated compounds and potentially violent reactions
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May emit toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride, phosgene and carbon oxides on combustion or decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to open flames, heat, ignition sources, incompatible materials; avoid static discharge
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents (bleach, chromates), alkali metals (sodium, potassium), aluminum, strong acids and bases
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): ~400 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): ~40 ppm; Skin: mild/moderate irritation based on animal data
Primary Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eye contact
Symptoms: Drowsiness, nausea, headache, respiratory tract irritation, eye redness/watering, skin redness, possible dermatitis with repeated exposure
Chronic Effects: Extended inhalation exposure in animal studies led to mild damage to liver and kidneys; CNS depression observed at high concentrations
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC, ACGIH, NTP, OSHA as carcinogenic; insufficient human data
Mutagenicity: No significant genetic toxicity observed in Ames test and limited mammalian studies
Reproductive Effects: No solid evidence of reproductive harm at workplace exposure levels; high-dose animal studies show mild disturbance to reproductive organs
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization from repeated contact

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms; 96-hr LC50 (fish): ~100 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Partial biodegradability under aerobic and anaerobic conditions; remains in environment for several weeks to months under low temperature; slow volatility to air
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate (log Kow ~2.2)
Mobility in Soil: Low to moderate due to adsorption on organic matter; possible groundwater contamination if spilled in large quantity
Other Adverse Effects: No known ozone depletion or photochemical smog risk; avoid release to environment; spills in waterways require immediate notification to downstream authorities

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose via licensed hazardous waste contractor only; incinerate at high temperatures in chemical incinerator equipped for chlorine/acid neutralization; do not pour into drains, watercourses, or soil
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse containers and puncture before recycling or disposal; return to supplier for drum recycling if available
Local Regulations: Follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations on disposal of chlorinated solvents;
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to surface water, soil; report large losses/spills to the appropriate environmental agencies

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 2810
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s. (1,4-Dichlorobutane)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic), secondary class 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic, Flammable Liquid
Special Transport Notes: Segregate from incompatible chemicals, ensure containers are tightly sealed, use leak-proof secondary containment; shipment must comply with DOT, IATA, IMDG rules
Marine Pollutant: Not listed
ERG Code: 153

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed on U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA 302/304/311/312/313: Not listed as extremely hazardous, reportable quantity substance; triggers acute health and fire hazard reporting due to toxicity/flammability
RCRA: Classified as hazardous waste under U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for halogenated organic solvents;
CERCLA: Not assigned a reportable quantity
OSHA: Regulated hazardous chemical, subject to standard workplace labeling, training, and hazard communication requirements
State Right-to-Know: Listed on California Proposition 65 for reproductive toxicity (if relevant based on updated data); included on state hazardous substance lists such as New Jersey, Massachusetts
European Union: Listed in REACH Annex, harmonized classification required; subject to workplace exposure, safe usage, and storage controls
Canada: Listed on DSL/NDSL; subject to WHMIS classification: D1B (Toxic), B2 (Flammable), D2B (Skin/Eye Irritant)
Other International: Included in Australia AICS, Japan ENCS, Korea ECL, China IECSC, Philippines PICCS inventories