Substance profile
Hexamethylene diisocyanate
Hexamethylene diisocyanate is a liquid with a sharp, pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Hexamethylene diisocyanate is
Hexamethylene diisocyanate is a liquid with a sharp, pungent odor. Its molecular formula is C8H12N2O2 and its molecular weight is 168.19 g/mol. It boils at 213 °C, melts at -67 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Hexamethylene diisocyanate
- hexamethylene-di-isocyanate
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 |
|---|---|
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P261, P264, P271, P272, P280, P302, P304, P305, P310, P313, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352
This page lists only the codes assigned to Hexamethylene diisocyanate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Hexamethylene diisocyanate 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 | 213 °C (415.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 212.78 °C (415 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 255 °C (491 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -67 °C (-88.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -67.22 °C (-89 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -55 °C (-67 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.0528 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.04 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Low (Reacts) | NIOSH | |
| Reacts with water (NTP, 1992) | CAMEO | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.05 mmHg | at 23.89 °C | CAMEO |
| 0.05 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 140 °C (284 °F) | NIOSH | |
| Autoignition temperature | 454 °C (849.2 °F) | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.9 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F. | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.5 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 5.81 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 5.8 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | The absolute perception limit is 0.001 ppm and 100% recognition at 0.02 ppm. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Hexamethylene diisocyanate
Storage conditions
Isocyanates are transported in railroad tank cars, tank trucks, tanks in ships, containers, and drums. They are stored in steel tanks and processed in steel equipment. For long-term storage stainless steel is recommended. To avoid contamination by atmospheric moisture, a dry air or inert gas blanket is essential. /Isocyanates/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Base-catalyzed reactions of isocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate with alcohols should generally be carried out in inert solvents. Such reactions in the absence of solvents often occur with explosive violence.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
HEXAMETHYLENE DIISOCYANATE reacts with water. Base-catalyzed reactions of this compound with alcohols may be explosively violent in the absence of diluting solvents. This chemical is incompatible with strong bases, amines, acids and strong oxidizers. It is also incompatible with metal compounds and surface active materials. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hexamethylene diisocyanat… in the storage compatibility matrix →
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Hexamethylene diisocyanate
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Hexamethylene diisocya… issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
Nearby
Substances next to Hexamethylene diisocyanate
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