Dichloroacetic acid methyl ester Property

Melting point:

-52 °C (lit.)

Boiling point:

143 °C (lit.)

Density 

1.381 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.442(lit.)

Flash point:

176 °F

storage temp. 

room temp

solubility 

4g/l

form 

Liquid

color 

Clear colorless

PH

3.8 (4g/l, H2O, 20℃)

Water Solubility 

Slightly soluble

BRN 

1747542

CAS DataBase Reference

116-54-1(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Acetic acid, dichloro-, methyl ester(116-54-1)

EPA Substance Registry System

Acetic acid, 2,2-dichloro-, methyl ester (116-54-1)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

Xn,Xi,F

Risk Statements 

20-36/37/38-40-38-11

Safety Statements 

26-36-37/39-16-24-9

RIDADR 

UN 2299 6.1/PG 3

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

AG6625000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1(b)

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29154000

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Warning

Hazard statements

H315Causes skin irritation

H319Causes serious eye irritation

H332Harmful if inhaled

H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

Dichloroacetic acid methyl ester Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

clear colorless liquid

Uses

Organic intermediate.

Uses

Dichloroacetic Acid Methyl Ester is used in the preparation of telechelics and block copolymers through living radical polymerization.

Uses

Methyl dichloroacetate may be used:

• in the diastereoselctive synthesis of bicyclic chlorocyclopropane
• as difunctional initiator during atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl or n-butyl acrylate
• as reagent during CrCl₂-induced olefination of aldehydes

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 90, p. 5307, 1968 DOI: 10.1021/ja01021a065
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 28, p. 1133, 1963

General Description

A colorless liquid with an ethereal odor. Combustible. Flash point 176°F. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used to make other chemicals.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposed by water to dichloroacetic acid, a corrosive material with evolution of heat [USCG, 1999].

Reactivity Profile

Dichloroacetic acid methyl ester produces toxic fumes of phosgene and HCl when heated [USCG, 1999].

Hazard

Strong irritant to tissue. Forms corrosiveproducts on hydrolysis, keep dry.

Health Hazard

Extremely destructive to the eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. May be fatal as a result of spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis, and pulmonary edema. Symptoms of exposure include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Produces toxic fumes of phosgene and HCl.

Safety Profile

Poisonous irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Hydrolyzes upon contact with moisture to form a product corrosive to tissue. See also DICHLOROACETIC ACID and ESTERS. Dangerous; when heated to decomposition it emits hghly toxic fumes of phosgene and Cl-.