Substance profile
2-Nitropropane
2-Nitropropane is a colorless liquid with a pleasant fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-Nitropropane is
2-Nitropropane is a colorless liquid with a pleasant fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C3H7NO2 and its molecular weight is 89.09 g/mol. It boils at 120 °C, melts at -91.3 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
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.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P308, P312, P313, P330, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-Nitropropane 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 | 120.2 °C (248.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 120.56 °C (249 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 120.28 °C (248.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -91.3 °C (-132.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -92.78 °C (-135 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.99 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.99 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.9821 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in chloroform | HSDB | |
| Miscible with most aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, and the lower carboxylic acids | HSDB | ||
| In water, 1.70X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 13 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 12.9 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 17.2 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 24 °C (75.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 39 °C (102.2 °F) | closed cup | HSDB | |
| 38 °C (100.4 °F) | from table | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 427.78 °C (802 °F) | HSDB | |
| 428 °C (802.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 11 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 3.06 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.1 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Detection in air (99% pure) 2.49 X 10(4) ppb | HSDB | |
| Odor low: 17.5 mg/cu m; Odor high: 1029 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 344.7 °C (652.5 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on 2-Nitropropane
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.
Odor
/One study/... stated that the odor of 2-NP was detectable at 1070 mg/cu m (294 ppm) but not at 302 mg/cu m (83 ppm), without describing the methodology by which these values were determined; their values have nevertheless been incorporated into various guidelines. Two recent studies redetermined the odor threshold for 2-NP. In one the ED50 (minimum concentration detected by 50% of the population) was estimated to be 18.2 mg/cu m (5.0 ppm) with 95% confidence limits from 11.3 mg/cu m (3.1 ppm) to28.76 mg/cu m (7.9 ppm), and, in the other, all of a four-member test panel detected 2-NP at 11.3 mg/cu m.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-Nitropropane
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated location. Separate from amines, alkalies, acids, oxidizing materials, metal oxides, and combustibles. Outside or detached storage is preferred /nitropropanes/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Mixing oleum and 2-nitropropane in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
2-NITROPROPANE is sensitive to heat. Can react with amines/heavy metal oxides, strong acids, strong alkalis, and chlorosulfonic acid. (NTP, 1992). The heat of adsorption of this compound on carbon, such as that found in cartridge respirators, is extremely high. Metal oxide catalysts, such as copper oxide or manganese oxide, can initiate ignition, therefore carbon respirators should not be used in environments that have a high vapor concentration of this material.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-Nitropropane in the storage compatibility matrix →