Substance profile
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas or liquid (below 77 degrees F) with an ethereal odor.
01 · Identification
What Vinyl chloride is
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas or liquid (below 77 degrees F) with an ethereal odor. Its molecular formula is C2H3Cl and its molecular weight is 62.5 g/mol. It boils at -13.8 °C, melts at -154 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Vinyl chloride
- VCM
- chloroethylene
- Chlorethylene
- Chloroethene
- 1-Chloroethene
- 1-Chloroethylene
- Ethene, Chloro-
- Ethylene Monochloride
- Ethylene, Chloro-
- Monochloroethene
- Monochloroethylene
- Monochoroethene
- Vc
- Vcl
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 |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P280, P308, P313, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Vinyl chloride 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 | -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -13.89 °C (7 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -13.89 °C (7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -153.84 °C (-244.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -160 °C (-256 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -153.89 °C (-245 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.9 g/cm³ | liquid | ICSC |
| 0.9106 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | In water, 2700 mg/L | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ethanol; very soluble in ethyl ether | HSDB | ||
| In water, 8.8X10+3 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 2508 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 3878 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 2980 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -78 °C (-108.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -78.89 °C (-110 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 472.22 °C (882 °F) | HSDB | |
| 472 °C (881.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 33 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.15 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.21 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 2.2 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 10.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 20.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from AIHA | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 151.46 °C (304.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Vinyl chloride is not corrosive when dry but in presence of moisture it corrodes iron and steel. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Vinyl chloride
Storage conditions
Vinyl chloride should be stored in cool well-ventilated areas, out of direct sunlight. It is usually stored under pressure and handled as a liquid. It must be kept away from sparks, flames and other ignition sources.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
On treatment with strong alkalis at high temperatures it loses hydrogen chloride.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
VINYL CHLORIDE is peroxidizable. Forms explosive polymeric peroxides in contact with air (in the presence of any of a variety of catalysts) [Bretherick 1979. p. 164]. Long storage in contact with air increases the concentration of the polyperoxides to hazardous levels [MCA Case History 1551. 1969]. The peroxides may initiate exothermic polymerization of the remaining material [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980.p. 958; Bretherick 1979. p. 160]. Light-sensitive. Many oxidizing agents apparently initiate polymerization (oxides of nitrogen, O2, etc.). May react with very hot water or steam to produce toxic fumes.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Vinyl chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →
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