Substance profile
Butyl chloroformate
Butyl chloroformate: n-butyl chloroformate appears as a colorless liquid.
01 · Identification
What Butyl chloroformate is
Butyl chloroformate: n-butyl chloroformate appears as a colorless liquid. Its molecular formula is C5H9ClO2 and its molecular weight is 136.58 g/mol. It boils at 138 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Butyl chloroformate
- chloroformic acid butyl ester
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. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P331, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyl chloroformate 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 | 138 °C (280.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 142 °C (287.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| 141.5 °C (286.7 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Density | 1.06 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.0513 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.074 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | |
| Vapor pressure | 5.4004 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 5.4 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 25 °C (77 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 30 °C (86 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 285 °C (545 °F) | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 4.72 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyl chloroformate
Reactivity
N-BUTYL CHLOROFORMATE is incompatible with bases (including amines), with water, with strong oxidizing agents, with alcohols. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyl chloroformate in the storage compatibility matrix →