Substance profile
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,1-Trichloroethane is a colorless liquid with a mild chloroform-like odor.
01 · Identification
What 1,1,1-Trichloroethane is
1,1,1-Trichloroethane is a colorless liquid with a mild chloroform-like odor. It boils at 74 °C, melts at -30 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
- methyl chloroform
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
1,1,1-Trichloroethane properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 74 °C (165.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 73.89 °C (165 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 74.11 °C (165.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -30 °C (-22 °F) | HSDB | |
| -30.56 °C (-23 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -32.5 °C (-26.5 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.34 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.3376 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.31 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, benzene, methanol, carbon tetrachloride and ether | HSDB | |
| Soluble in all common organic solvents and is a very good solvent for fats, paraffins, and other organic compounds. | HSDB | ||
| In water, 1,290 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 100 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 100 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 124 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 93.33 °C (200 °F) | above this value | CAMEO |
| Flash point = none | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 500 °C (932 °F) | closed cup | HSDB |
| 500 °C (932 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 537 °C (998.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 7.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 4.63 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.6 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | It has an odor similar to chloroform. | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 16.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 311.85 °C (593.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Readily corrodes aluminum and aluminum alloys | HSDB | |
| Extremely corrosive to aluminum. Dry 1,1,1-trichloroethane moderately corrodes iron and zinc. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Corrosivity
Dry, uninhibited 1,1,1-trichloroethane is not very corrosive with iron or zinc; corrosion rate with iron is < 2.54 micrometers/yr and with zinc < 25.4 micrometers/yr. Addition of 7% water increases corrosion rates to 254 micrometers/yr for iron and > 254 micrometers/yr for zinc. The presence of both water and ethanol increases iron or tin attack at reflux.
Source: HSDB
Odor
The odor may be noticeable at concentrations near 100 ppm, well below those known to cause physiological response. However, the odor at 500 ppm and even 1000 ppm is not so unpleasant as to discourage exposure. The odor has been described as strong and unpleasant at 1500-2000 ppm. It has been reported that female test subjects exposed to 350 ppm objected to the odor; however, this has not been an industrial problem.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Storage conditions
Storage temp: Ambient; Venting: Pressure-vacuum.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts slowly with water, releasing corrosive hydrochloric acid.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in the storage compatibility matrix →