Product Name: 2-Methylbutanoic Acid
Synonyms: 2-Methylbutyric Acid
Chemical Formula: C5H10O2
CAS Number: 116-53-0
Molecular Weight: 102.13 g/mol
Relevant Uses: Flavors and fragrance manufacturing, chemical intermediate, laboratory reagents
Manufacturer Information: See label or invoice for supplier and emergency contact details
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300 (USA); International contacts available
GHS Classification: Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2, Serious eye irritation Category 2A, Acute toxicity Category 4 (oral, dermal, inhalation), Specific target organ toxicity single exposure Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation), Flammable liquids Category 4
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, harmful if swallowed, harmful if inhaled, may cause respiratory irritation, combustible liquid
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Health hazard, Flame
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, wash hands thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
Chemical Name: 2-Methylbutanoic Acid
Concentration: ≥99%
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: Not significant or present at concentrations below reportable threshold limits
Hazardous Components: None beyond main ingredient at hazardous levels
Inhalation: Move individual to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist (cough, headache, breathing difficulty)
Skin Contact: Rinse with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical help if skin irritation occurs or persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy, continue rinsing for minimum 15 minutes, obtain medical care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water to drink, seek urgent medical advice if feeling unwell, show product label or MSDS to healthcare provider
Most Important Symptoms and Effects: Skin and eye irritation, respiratory discomfort, gastrointestinal pain if swallowed
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide (CO2), water spray (do not use water jet as product may float and spread fire)
Specific Hazards from the Chemical: Combustible, vapors may travel and ignite at distant points, may emit irritating or toxic fumes including carbon oxides on combustion
Special Protective Equipment for Fire-Fighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Fire Fighting Instructions: Keep containers cool by spraying with water, avoid breathing fumes, prevent run-off from entering drains or waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel, ventilate area, avoid breathing vapor, use appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, chemical-resistant clothing
Spill Containment/Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, sewers, or natural water sources, absorb using inert material like sand or earth
Methods and Materials for Clean-Up: Absorb spill, place in chemical waste container for disposal, decontaminate spill area with soap and water, ventilate location
Precautions for Safe Handling: Use only in chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area, avoid direct contact with substance, wash hands after use, avoid ingestion and inhalation
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in a tightly closed original container, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources, separate from incompatible substances (strong oxidizers, strong bases), do not store near food or animal feed
Packing Materials: Use chemical-resistant compatible containers
Control Parameters: No ACGIH TLV or OSHA PEL established for 2-methylbutanoic acid, always minimize exposure
Engineering Controls: Emergency eye wash stations and safety showers in work area, use fume hood or exhaust ventilation
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Eyes/Face: Splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shield
- Skin: Chemically-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), lab coat, protective clothing
- Respiratory: If vapors exceed limits, use NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge
- General Hygiene: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, manage contaminated clothing properly
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Colorless to pale yellow
Odor: Pungent, cheesy, unpleasant
Odor Threshold: Not established, strong at low concentrations
pH: Acidic when in solution
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -60°C
Boiling Point: 176°C
Flash Point: 76°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not available
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: Not defined
Vapor Pressure: 0.33 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 3.52 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.93–0.96 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water, very soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): 1.10
Auto-ignition Temperature: 360°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not determined
Viscosity: Not established
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and use
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sources of ignition, flame, incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May emit irritating vapors/fumes (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide) during combustion or decomposition
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: No dangerous reactions known under normal processing
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 680 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): not available; Inhalation LD50 (rat): not available
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe skin irritation
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: May cause respiratory tract irritation
Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure: Respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA; no evidence of mutagenic or reproductive effects in available data
Chronic Effects: Prolonged contact may worsen skin or respiratory symptoms
Toxicity: Fish LC50 (96h): 7–10 mg/L (estimated); Daphnia EC50 (48h): 6.5 mg/L (estimated)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in the environment, does not persist under normal conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low; log Kow suggests low risk of bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: Mobile, may leach into groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: May lower local water pH if released in significant quantities
Waste Treatment Methods: Treat as hazardous chemical waste, do not dispose in domestic sewage or municipal trash
Disposal of Product: Burn in chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber where permitted, or follow local state and federal guidelines
Disposal of Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before discarding, or handle as hazardous waste, follow regional regulatory guidelines
Special Precautions for Landfill or Incineration: Do not release in unlined landfill, avoid unspecified chemical combinations during incineration
UN Number: 3265
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Liquid, Acidic, Organic, N.O.S. (contains 2-Methylbutanoic acid)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: III
Label required: Corrosive
Marine Pollutant: No data available
Special Precautions for Transport: Ensure container integrity, segregate from incompatible materials, keep away from food materials
Transport in Bulk: Follow MARPOL/IBC Code regulations
TSCA: Listed in the TSCA inventory for the United States
EU REACH: Registered as a substance under REACH by relevant manufacturers/importers
OSHA: Hazardous by definition of Hazard Communication Standard
SARA 313: Not listed as a reportable toxic chemical
California Prop 65: Not listed
EINECS/ELINCS Number: 204-143-1
Canada DSL/NDSL: Listed on the Canadian DSL
WHMIS Classification: D2B (toxic material causing other toxic effects), B3 (Combustible liquid), E (Corrosive material)
Other Regulations: Comply with chemical labeling, storage, handling, and transport laws in all relevant jurisdictions
