Substance profile
3-chloropropene
3-chloropropene is a red liquid with a pungent, unpleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What 3-chloropropene is
3-chloropropene is a red liquid with a pungent, unpleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C3H5Cl and its molecular weight is 76.52 g/mol. It boils at 45 °C, melts at -134 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for 3-chloropropene
- allyl chloride
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 |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P312, P313, P314, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
3-chloropropene 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 | 45 °C (113 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 45 °C (113 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -134.5 °C (-210.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -134.44 °C (-210 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.938 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.94 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, chloroform, ether, petrol ether | HSDB | |
| 0.4% | NIOSH | ||
| In water, 3,370 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 295 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 340 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 368 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -31.7 °C (-25.1 °F) | CLOSED CUP | HSDB |
| -31.67 °C (-25 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 391.67 °C (737 °F) | HSDB | |
| 390 °C (734 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 3.3 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 11.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 11.2 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 2.64 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Recognition of allyl chloride in air was at 4.70x10-1 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.48 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 5.9 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 241.11 °C (466 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Allyl chloride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 3-chloropropene
Storage conditions
Ambient storage temperature, venting should be pressure-vacuum type.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Contact with aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, or sulfuric acid may cause a violent exothermic polymerization. Contact with aluminum, magnesium, zinc (or galvanized metals) may produce similar results.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ALLYL CHLORIDE presents a serious fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat, flame or oxidizing agents. Polymerizes violently and exothermically with Lewis acids (aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, sulfuric acid) or metals (aluminum, magnesium, zinc, or galvanized metal) [MCA SD-99, 1973]. Incompatible with acids (nitric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, oleum), with strong bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide), with ethyleneimine and ethylenediamine [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 36]. Attempts to alkylate benzene or toluene using allyl chloride in the presence of ethylaluminum chlorides have led to explosions.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 3-chloropropene in the storage compatibility matrix →