Substance profile
Chloroprene
Chloroprene is a colorless liquid with a pungent, ether-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Chloroprene is
Chloroprene is a colorless liquid with a pungent, ether-like odor. It boils at 59.4 °C, melts at -130 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Chloroprene
- chloroprene (stabilised)
- 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene (stabilised)
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P312, P313, P314, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Chloroprene 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 | 59.4 °C (138.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 59.44 °C (139 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 59.39 °C (138.9 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -130 °C (-202 °F) | HSDB | |
| -102.78 °C (-153 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.96 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.956 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.9583 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible in ethyl ether, acetone, and benzene; slightly soluble in water. | HSDB | |
| Soluble in alcohol, diethyl ether | HSDB | ||
| Slight | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor pressure | 188 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 174.014 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 215 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -20 °C (-4 °F) | OPEN CUP | HSDB |
| -20 °C (-4 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 440 °C (824 °F) | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.9 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 20 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 11.3 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor density | 3 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.1 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.11 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 138.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from AIHA | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Chloroprene
Storage conditions
/OXIDATION/...INHIBITED BY STORAGE AT LESS THAN -15 °C AND/OR BY THE ADDN OF ANTIOXIDANTS TO THE FRESH DISTILLATE.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Peroxides & other oxidizers [Note: Polymerizes at room temperature unless inhibited with antioxidants].
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
CHLOROPRENE emits highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas when heated to decomposition. Autooxidizes very rapidly with air and, even at 0 °C, produces unstable peroxides that catalyze exothermic polymerization [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 507]. This reactivity is greatly slowed by presence of an inhibitor.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Chloroprene in the storage compatibility matrix →