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1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE

3 - Flammable liquid
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 106-88-7   (1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE)
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Flammable Liquid
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
3 2
W
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless volatile liquid with an ethereal odor. Flash point near 0°F. Density about 6.9 lb / gal. Soluble in water. Boiling point near 140°F. Flammable over a wide range of vapor-air concentrations. May polymerize with the evolution of heat and possible rupture of container if contaminated. Vapors irritate eyes, skin and respiratory system. Prolonged contact with skin may cause in delayed burns. Vapors are heavier than air. Used as an intermediate to make various polymers. Chemicals that polymerize are often stabilized by refrigeration.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Highly Flammable
  • Polymerizable
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Soluble in water and may decompose upon contact with water.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode in fire. Use water to cool container from safe distance. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation: intolerable odor and irritation; respiratory injury may occur at higher levels. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. Contact with either liquid or vapor may cause burns of eyes. Liquid produces frostbite-type of skin burn if free to evaporate; if confined to skin, burn may cause skin sensitization; not readily absorbed in toxic amounts. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Epoxides, such as 1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE, are highly reactive. They polymerize in the presence of catalysts or when heated. Contact with anhydrous metal halides; amino, hydroxyl and carboxyl functions; inorganic acids and charcoal may cause polymerization. These polymerization reactions can be violent. Compounds in this group react with acids, bases, and oxidizing and reducing agents. They react, possibly violently with water in the presence of acid and other catalysts.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
  • Dirt/Earth

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water may be ineffective.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, alcohol foam, carbon dioxide (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION. Then, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Seal the absorbent paper, as well as any of your clothing which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash any surfaces you may have contaminated with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this chemical from exposure to light. Keep the container tightly closed under an inert atmosphere, and store it in an explosion-proof refrigerator. STORE AWAY FROM SOURCES OF IGNITION. (NTP, 1992)
Protective Clothing
Clean protective clothing; rubber gloves; chemical worker's goggles; self-contained breathing apparatus (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C4H8O
Flash Point: 10°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.5 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 18.3 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 959°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -76°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 160 mmHg at 55°F ; 215 mmHg at 70.0°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.49 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.826 at 77°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 145°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 72.11 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 63°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for 1,2-Butylene oxide (106-88-7)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 72 ppm 140 ppm 410 ppm
30 minutes 72 ppm 140 ppm 410 ppm
60 minutes 72 ppm 140 ppm 330 ppm
4 hours 72 ppm 140 ppm 210 ppm
8 hours 72 ppm 140 ppm 210 ppm
Level of Distinct Odor Awareness (LOA) = 0.15 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Epoxybutane, 1,2-; (1,2-Butylene oxide) (106-88-7) 72 ppm 140 ppm 330 ppm LEL = 17000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
1,2-Butylene oxide 106-88-7 100 pounds 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • ALPHA-BUTYLENE OXIDE
  • BUTANE, 1,2-EPOXY-
  • BUTENE 1,2-EPOXIDE
  • 1,2-BUTENE OXIDE
  • 1-BUTENE OXIDE
  • 1,2-BUTYLENE EPOXIDE
  • BUTYLENE OXIDE
  • 1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE, STABILIZED
  • 1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE, [STABILIZED]
  • 1, 2-BUTYLENE OXIDE
  • 1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE
  • 1-BUTYLENE OXIDE
  • DL-1,2-EPOXYBUTANE
  • EPOXYBUTANE
  • 1,2-EPOXYBUTANE
  • ETHYLETHYLENE OXIDE
  • ETHYLOXIRANE
  • (.+-.)-ETHYLOXIRANE
  • (.+-.)-2-ETHYLOXIRANE
  • 2-ETHYLOXIRANE
  • NCI-C55527

Version 3.0.0