Product Name: Glycerol Formal
Chemical Name: 1,3-Dioxan-5-ol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)- (Mixture of isomers)
Synonyms: Formal glycerol, Glycerol formaldehyde
CAS Number: 4740-78-7
Recommended Use: Pharmaceutical solvent, veterinary medicine, industrial processing
Supplier Information: Manufacturer or distributor name, address, contact number
Emergency Contact: Emergency response phone—usually CHEMTREC or equivalent
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS
Main Hazards: May cause mild irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure can contribute to mild central nervous system depression. Limited fire hazard under most storage and handling conditions.
Signal Word: None required
Pictograms: None required
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Use in well-ventilated areas.
Chemical Substance: Glycerol Formal (Mixture of 5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxane and 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane)
Concentration: 98-100%
Impurities: Trace levels of formaldehyde, water, and other related glycol derivatives
Chemical Formula: C4H8O3
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse under running water, eyelids open. Seek medical attention if discomfort persists.
Skin Contact: Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Seek medical attention for persistent symptoms, especially if headache, dizziness, or breathing difficulty occurs.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Consult a doctor if large quantities are swallowed or if symptoms develop.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically; monitor for respiratory or central nervous system effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High volume water jet for small fires
Fire/Explosion Hazard: Slight risk due to combustible nature at high temperatures. Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air in confined spaces.
Special Hazards: Fire may produce toxic gases including carbon oxides. Container may rupture when heated.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear for chemical fires.
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, eye protection, and appropriate clothing. Ensure proper ventilation.
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow spillage into drains or watercourses.
Methods for Cleanup: Contain and absorb with inert material (sand, earth, diatomite). Collect and dispose in accordance with regulations.
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with water and a mild detergent after cleanup to remove residues.
Handling: Avoid inhaling mist or vapor. Prevent contact with skin and eyes. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Storage Temperature: Store at 15-30°C, away from sources of ignition and sunlight.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers, acids, and alkalis can trigger decomposition.
Container Hazards: Use tightly closed, chemical-resistant containers. Check for leaks before opening.
Special Requirements: Store in original container or compatible substitute, away from food and beverages.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits for Glycerol Formal
Engineering Controls: Proper mechanical ventilation at point of use for vapors or mists.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile recommended), lab coat or apron. Use respirator with organic vapor cartridge if ventilation is insufficient.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling.
Environmental Controls: Procedures for safe disposal of waste to avoid environmental contamination.
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellowish liquid
Odor: Slight, sweet characteristic odor
pH: Not available
Melting Point: -20°C
Boiling Point: 194°C
Flash Point: 130°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Low
Flammability: Not highly flammable under normal conditions
Vapor Pressure: 0.09 mmHg at 25°C
Relative Density: 1.18-1.20 g/cm³ (at 20°C)
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Approximately -1.2
Autoignition Temperature: 335°C
Decomposition Temperature: >200°C
Viscosity: Moderate, typical of polyols and ethers
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions and temperatures
Hazardous Reactions: May react violently with strong oxidizers
Decomposition Products: Produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of formaldehyde and other volatile organics at high temperatures
Polymerization: Not known to occur
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, ignition sources, strong acids and bases, oxidizing agents
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, eye and skin contact
Acute Toxicity: Low acute toxicity in mammals; no significant systemic toxicity observed in short-term studies
Oral LD50 (rat): >5000 mg/kg
Skin Irritation: Slightly irritating based on animal studies
Eye Irritation: Mild irritant
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may produce skin dryness and defatting. No evidence for carcinogenicity or mutagenicity from available data.
Sensitization: Not expected.
Other Data: No data for reproductive or developmental toxicity.
Environmental Fate: Biodegradable in soil and water
Persistence: Low, based on structure and ready biodegradability
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to low log Kow
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Low toxicity to aquatic organisms (LC50 >100 mg/L for fish and Daphnia)
Mobility in Soil: High, due to high solubility and low adsorption potential
Other Information: No known significant adverse effects in the natural environment, but excessive spillage can impact local waterways.
Waste Handling: Collect waste in properly labelled, suitable containers for recycling or disposal
Disposal Methods: Use incineration or chemical disposal in accordance with local, regional, and national laws.
Special Precautions: Do not dump into sewers, on the ground, or into any body of water
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers prior to recycling or disposal
UN Number: Not classified as a dangerous good for transport
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not assigned
Shipping Name: Glycerol Formal
Environmental Hazards: None for transportation
Special Precautions: Protect containers from physical damage and secure during transport
Inventory Status: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan)
OSHA Hazard Communication: Not considered hazardous
SARA Title III: Not listed as a reportable substance
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other Regulations: Observe all applicable federal, state, and local regulations regarding usage, handling, and disposal
