Propionic anhydride Chemical Properties

Melting point:

-42 °C

Boiling point:

167 °C(lit.)

Density 

1.015 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

vapor density 

4.5 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

10 mm Hg ( 57.7 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.404(lit.)

Flash point:

165 °F

storage temp. 

Store below +30°C.

solubility 

H2O: decomposes (when in contact with water)

PH

2.5 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃)(calculated on the free acid)

explosive limit

1.3-9.5%(V)

Water Solubility 

hydrolyses

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Merck 

14,7826

BRN 

507066

Stability:

Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, water, moisture, most common metals, active halogen compounds, ammonia, amines.

CAS DataBase Reference

123-62-6(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Propanoic acid, anhydride(123-62-6)

EPA Substance Registry System

Propionic anhydride (123-62-6)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

C

Risk Statements 

34-R34

Safety Statements 

26-45-S45-S26

RIDADR 

UN 2496 8/PG 3

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

UF9100000

Autoignition Temperature

545 °F

Hazard Note 

Corrosive/Moisture Sensitive

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

2915 90 70

HazardClass 

8

PackingGroup 

III

Hazardous Substances Data

123-62-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 orally in rats: 2.36 g/kg (Smyth)

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Propionic anhydride Usage And Synthesis

Preparation

Propionic anhydride can be synthesized by dehydration of propanoic acid using ketene.
2 CH3CH2CO2H + CH2=C=O → (CH3CH2CO)2O + CH3CO2H

Application

Propionic anhydride was previously used in the preparation of αand β-1-propionyl derivatives of glucopyranose tetra-acetate.

Description

Propanoic anhydride is an organic compound with the formula (CH₃CH₂CO)₂O. This simple acid anhydride is a colourless liquid. It is a widely used reagent in organic synthesis.

Chemical Properties

Propionic anhydride is a colorless liquid. Strong, pungent, unpleasant odor.

Chemical Properties

colourless liquid with an unpleasant odour

Uses

Usually used in the preparation of α- and β-1-propionyl derivatives of glucopyranose tetra-acetate.

Uses

Esterifying agent for certain perfume oils, fats, oils, and especially cellulose. In the production of alkyd resins, dyestuffs and drugs. Has been used as a dehydrating agent in some sulfonations and nitrations.

General Description

Propionic anhydride is an organic compound with the molecular formula (CH3CH2CO)2O. it is an colorless acid anhydride that is widely used as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposes exothermically in water to form a corrosive solution of propionic acid [Merck, 11th ed. 1989].

Reactivity Profile

Propionic anhydride reacts exothermically with water. The reactions are sometimes slow, but can become violent when local heating accelerates their rate. Acids accelerate the reaction with water. Incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, and bases.

Hazard

Strong irritant to tissue.

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes irritation of eyes and respiratory tract. Contact with liquid causes burns of eyes and skin. Ingestion causes burns of mouth and stomach.

Fire Hazard

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Mildly toxic by skin contact. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. Used as an esterifyng agent and dehydrating agent. See also ANHYDRIDES.

Safety

Propanoic anhydride is strong smelling and corrosive, and will cause burns on contact with skin. Vapour can burn eyes and lungs.

Chemical Synthesis

Propanoic anhydride has been prepared by dehydration of propanoic acid using ketene :
2 CH₃CH₂CO₂H + CH₂= C= O → (CH₃CH₂CO)₂O + CH₃CO₂H.

Potential Exposure

Used in the manufacture of perfumes, flavorings, alkyd resins; dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals; as an esterifying agent for fats, oils, and cellulose; dehydrating medium for nitrations and sulfonations.

Shipping

UN2496 Propionic anhydride, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material.

Purification Methods

Shake the anhydride with P2O5 for several minutes, then distil. [Beilstein 2 IV 722.]

Incompatibilities

Vapors may form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, perox- ides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluo- rine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, reducing agents; alcohols and metals. Contact with water forms heat 1 flammable propionic acid. Compounds of the carboxyl group react with all bases, both inorganic and organic (i.e., amines) releasing substantial heat, water and a salt that may be harmful. Incompatible with arsenic compounds (releases hydrogen cyanide gas), diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercap- tans, nitrides, and sulfides (releasing heat, toxic and possibly flammable gases), thiosulfates and dithionites (releasing hydrogen sulfate and oxides of sulfur).

Waste Disposal

Use a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.

Propionic anhydride(123-62-6)Related Product Information

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