Substance profile
Acrylamide
Acrylamide is flake-like crystals from benzene and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Acrylamide is
Acrylamide is flake-like crystals from benzene and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C3H5NO and its molecular weight is 71.08 g/mol. It boils at 193 °C, melts at 84.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Acrylamide
- Acrylamide Monomer
- Acrylic Acid Amide (50%)
- Acrylic Amide
- Acrylic Amide 50%
- Ethylene Carboxamide
- Ethylenecarboxamide
- Propenamide
- Propenamide (50%)
- 2-Propenamide
- Propenoic Acid, Amide
- Vinyl Amide
- prop-2-enamide
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 |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H372 | Causes 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. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P310, P312, P313, P314, P330, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Acrylamide 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 | 192.6 °C (378.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 125 °C (257 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| 237.5 °C (459.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | NIOSH | |
| Melting point | 84.5 °C (184.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 84.44 °C (184 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.12 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.13 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether and acetone | HSDB | |
| greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| In water, 3.711X10+2 g/L at 20 °C; 4.048X10+2 g/L at 30 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.007 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.007 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.0068 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 138 °C (280.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 137.78 °C (280 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 240 °C (464 °F) | HSDB | |
| 424 °C (795.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Fine particles of dust form explosive mixture with air. | HSDB | |
| Combustible Solid (may also be dissolved in flammable liquids). | NIOSH | ||
| Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO |
| Vapor density | 2.45 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Acrylamide
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Light sensitive. Store under inert gas. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Acids, oxidizing agents, iron and iron salts, copper, brass, free radical initiators.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Amides, such as ACRYLAMIDE, react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Spontaneous, violent polymerization occurs at its melting point (86 °C) [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 428]. Can polymerize vigorously if mixed with peroxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acrylamide in the storage compatibility matrix →
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