Substance profile
Acrolein
Acrolein is a colorless or yellowish liquid with an extremely sharp; extremely acrid, pungent, burnt sweet; hot fat odor.
01 · Identification
What Acrolein is
Acrolein is a colorless or yellowish liquid with an extremely sharp; extremely acrid, pungent, burnt sweet; hot fat odor. Its molecular formula is C3H4O and its molecular weight is 56.06 g/mol. It boils at 52.3 °C, melts at -87.8 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Acrolein
- prop-2-enal
- acrylaldehyde
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. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P331, P352, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Acrolein 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 | 52.3 °C (126.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 52.78 °C (127 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 52.22 °C (126 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -87.8 °C (-126 °F) | HSDB | |
| -87.78 °C (-126 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.84 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8389 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.8424 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone; slightly soluble in chloroform | HSDB | |
| Soluble in oxygenated solvents | HSDB | ||
| In water, 2.11X10+5 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 210 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 217.5 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 274 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -29 °C (-20.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -26.11 °C (-15 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 220 °C (428 °F) | HSDB | |
| 233.89 °C (453 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 234 °C (453.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 31 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 1.94 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.9 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Air: 0.16 uL/L; Water: 0.11 mg/L; Odor safety class D; D= 10-50% of attentive persons can detect TLV concn in the air | HSDB | |
| Low= 0.0525 mg/cu m; High= 37.5000 mg/cu m; Irritating concn= 1.25 mg/cu m. | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.02 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 233 °C (451.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Non-corrosive to iron & steel at room temperature | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Acrolein
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C. Store under inert gas. Handle and open container with care. Light sensitive. Heat- and air-sensitive. Storage class (TRGS 510): Flammable liquids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Oxidizing agents, oxygen, bases, strong acids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ACROLEIN can react violently with oxidizing agents. Polymerizes exothermically on contact with small amounts of acids (including sulfur dioxide), alkalis, volatile amines and pyridines, salts, thiourea, oxidizing agents (air) and on exposure to light and heat. Polymerization initiated by amines and pyridines occurs after a deceptive induction period. Water solutions of mineral acids and metal ions can initiate polymerization. The inhibitor (usually hydroquinone) greatly reduces tendency to polymerize. Undergoes Diels-Alder reaction with itself to give acrolein dimer. This can become a runaway reaction at 90 °C [Kirk-Othmer, 4th Ed, Vol. 1]. Mixing in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: 2-aminoethanol, ammonium hydroxide, chlorosulfonic acid, ethylenediamine, ethyleneimine [NFPA 1991].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acrolein in the storage compatibility matrix →