ISOCYANIC ACID Property

Melting point:

-86 °C

Boiling point:

41.91°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.04±0.1 g/cm3(Predicted)

refractive index 

1.4300 (estimate)

PH

3.35(1 mM solution);2.76(10 mM solution);2.23(100 mM solution)

EPA Substance Registry System

Isocyanic acid (75-13-8)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H302Harmful if swallowed

H312Harmful in contact with skin

H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

H332Harmful if inhaled

H334May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled

H335May cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

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

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P285In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.

P301+P312IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician IF you feel unwell.

P301+P330+P331IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.

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

P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower.

P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

P304+P341IF INHALED: If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

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

P310Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P312Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.

P321Specific treatment (see … on this label).

P322Specific measures (see …on this label).

P330Rinse mouth.

P342+P311IF experiencing respiratory symptoms: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

P405Store locked up.

P501Dispose of contents/container to..…

ISOCYANIC ACID Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Isocyanic acid (HNCO) is a volatile, moderately acidic compound, and the simplest member of the isocyanate family.
Isocyanic acid is a colourless, volatile, poisonous inorganic compound with the formula HNCO; the simplest stable chemical compound that contains carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, the four most commonly-found elements in organic chemistry and biology. It is a hydracid and a one-carbon compound. It is a conjugate acid of a cyanate. It is a tautomer of a cyanic acid.

Physical properties

Isocyanic acid (ICA, Cas no. 75-13- 8) is a strong organic acid with a kPa of 3.5. ICA is a very reactive compound that can readily transform into other substances. It can lose a proton in an aqueous environment under certain conditions, particularly if a strong base is present, forming an isocyanate. ICA is a tautomer of the less stable, cyanic acid (CAS no. 420-05-3). These forms interchange by a tautomerisation reaction, involving the migration of a hydrogen atom or proton accompanied by a switch of a double bond. ICA is an unstable liquid above 0o C with a tendency to polymerise. The primary polymerisation product, which is also generated in the gas form, is cyanuric acid (CAS no. 108-80-5), a cyclic trimer. ICA is soluble in water, but disintegrates both via ionisation and by formation of ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Uses

The primary use of methyl isocyanate (MIC, CAS no. 624-83-9) is as a chemical intermediate in the production of carbamate pesticides. MIC is also used to produce polyurethane foam and plastics (ATSDR, 2002). Isocyanic acid (ICA, Cas no. 75-13- 8) does not have commercial uses because of its instability. The potential for occupational exposure to ICA largely arises when it is generated as a thermal degradation product of other industrial processes. Ethyl isocyanate is a liquid used commercially to make pharmaceuticals and pesticides (NJDHSS, 2000). Phenyl isocyanate (PIC, CAS no. 103-71-9) is a trace constituent in commercial diphenyl methane diisocyanate products.

Preparation

Isocyanic acid was prepared in pure form by reaction of KOCN or NaOCN with stearic or oxalic acid in good yield.

Definition

ChEBI: A colourless, volatile, poisonous inorganic compound with the formula HNCO; the simplest stable chemical compound that contains carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, the four most commonly-found elements in organic chemistry and biology.

Hazard

Severe explosion risk. Strong irritant to eyes, skin and mucous membranes.