Material Safety Data Sheet – Acetyl Bromide

Identification

Product Name: Acetyl Bromide
Chemical Name: Ethanoyl Bromide
Formula: C2H3BrO
Synonyms: Acetyl bromide, Bromomethanone
CAS Number: 506-96-7
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical synthesis
Restrictions on Use: Avoid all non-expert handling outside controlled environments
Supplier Information: Supplier details as required by local regulations
Emergency Contact: National emergency response center or local hazardous materials response contacts

Hazard Identification

Classification: Flammable liquid, Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, Toxic if inhaled
Hazard Statements: Extremely corrosive, releases toxic, corrosive fumes of HBr and acetic acid upon contact with moisture
Pictograms: Corrosive, Health Hazard, Skull and Crossbones, Flame
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation, contact with skin or eyes, and clothing. Handle under adequate ventilation, use appropriate chemical fume hoods. Always wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. Never ingest or breathe vapors.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Acetyl Bromide
Purity: ≥98%
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: No additional significant components known at laboratory scales
Molecular Weight: 137.95 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air immediately. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing becomes difficult. Seek medical attention urgently.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse affected skin immediately for at least 15 minutes with running water. Get medical attention for any persistent irritation, swelling, vesiculation, or chemical burns.
Eye Contact: Irrigate eyes at an eyewash station for at least 15 minutes. Hold eyelids open and roll eyes while flushing. Do not allow victim to rub eyes. Seek immediate medical evaluation.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water only if the person is fully conscious. Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious victim. Seek medical attention promptly.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use water jets as these may produce corrosive hydrogen bromide gas.
Specific Hazards: Emits highly toxic fumes of hydrogen bromide (HBr), carbon monoxide, and acetic acid upon combustion. Enclosed spaces rapidly fill with hazardous gases.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters must wear full protective suits and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Additional Advice: Remove containers from fire zone if safe, keep cool with water spray. Evacuate the area, prevent run-off from entering water sources.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel from area. Use full-face respirator, chemical-resistant gloves, and splash-proof suits. Avoid breathing vapors.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, or natural waterways. Alert emergency services if large quantity spills occur.
Methods for Cleanup: Absorb with inert material such as dry sand or earth. Collect using non-sparking tools, place in properly labeled, ventilated containers for disposal. Ventilate area, wash spill site thoroughly after material pick-up is complete.
Decontamination: Avoid contact with water during clean-up; residues may react violently with moisture.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Operate only in a chemical fume hood or closed system. Do not breathe vapors or allow contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. Ensure all lab personnel receive training on corrosive/toxic chemical handling.
Safe Storage: Store in a tightly closed container, under an inert dry atmosphere if possible. Keep away from moisture, incompatible chemicals (strong bases, oxidizers, amines, alcohols), direct sunlight, and heat sources.
Storage Temperature: Maintain at room temperature or cooler. Store in ventilated storage cabinets designed for corrosive liquids. Clearly label containers to avoid accidental use.
Incompatible Materials: Water, strong oxidizers, acids, strong bases, alcohols, amines.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No OSHA or ACGIH established limits specifically for acetyl bromide. Handle using GLP and best practices for hazardous/toxic chemicals.
Engineering Controls: Work only under local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood, or glove box. Emergency eyewash and safety shower must be accessible.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber, Viton), safety goggles, and face shield. Use flame-resistant lab coats. Wear full-face respirator if vapor hazard exists.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during chemical use. Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing promptly.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Strong, acrid, almost suffocating
Odor Threshold: Not established, but detectable at low concentrations
pH: Not applicable (reacts vigorously with water)
Melting Point: -96°C
Boiling Point: 81°C
Flash Point: 14°C (closed cup)
Flammability: Highly flammable
Vapor Pressure: 40 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 4.76 (air=1)
Density: 1.660 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Decomposes in water, soluble in ether and alcohol
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): No data available
Autoignition Temperature: No data available
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes with water contact

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, heat, sunlight, incompatible materials.
Incompatible Materials: Water, strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, acids, alcohols, amines.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen bromide, acetic acid, carbon oxides.
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts violently with water, alcohols, amines, and strong bases releasing toxic/irritant vapors.

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion
Acute Effects: Severe respiratory irritation, burns on skin and eyes, risk of serious eye damage, chemical pneumonia if inhaled in high concentration.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause dermatitis, ulceration, or respiratory symptoms.
LD50 (Oral, rat): 820 mg/kg
LD50 (Dermal): No data available
LC50 (Inhalation, rat): No reliable data; extremely irritating and potentially fatal with high-concentration exposure
Irritation/Corrosion: Severe corneal, skin, and pulmonary tissue damage expected on contact
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA as a known carcinogen
Other Data: High vapor pressure increases inhalation risk, rapid absorption may result in systemic toxicity

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Acute risks due to release of hydrogen bromide and acetic acid on contact with water.
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly in water to produce acetic acid and hydrogen bromide; compounds are persistent, especially in poorly buffered waters.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low potential, but degradation products may accumulate locally in soil and water.
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in vapor form, hydrolyzes and binds as bromide ion after release.
Other Hazards: Severe pH shifts and localized toxic effects in spill areas.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Neutralize cautiously with a suitable reagent (such as sodium carbonate solution) under controlled conditions in a chemical fume hood. After complete reaction and cooling, dilute and flush with large amounts of water to a chemical sewer in compliance with all local/national regulations.
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse empty containers with suitable neutralizing agents, then offer for recycling or dispose through a licensed hazardous waste contractor.
Special Precautions: Wear complete personal protection during any disposal procedures. Never release concentrated material to environment or general waste systems.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1713
Proper Shipping Name: Acetyl Bromide
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 3 (Flammable)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Labeling Requirements: Corrosive, Flammable Liquid
Special Transport Measures: Avoid exposure to heat and moisture, tightly seal containers, transport only by trained professionals with access to spill response resources
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant per IMDG guidelines

Regulatory Information

US Federal: TSCA inventory listed, reportable quantity of 1,000 lbs (under CERCLA), subject to SARA Title III notifications
EU Regulations: Classified under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008; restrictions on sale and handling outside licensed laboratories
Canada: Listed (DSL/NDSL), controlled under WHMIS
Other Regions: Local requirements apply; review country-specific hazardous chemical regulations and ensure all packaging, labeling, transport, and disposal comply
Workplace Restrictions: Restrict access to trained personnel; maintain accessible Safety Data Sheets and exposure control resources at all times