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DESIGNATIONS
CAS No.: 107-02-8
Registry name: Acrolein
Chemical name: 2-Propenal
Synonyms, Trade names: Propenal, acrylaldehyde, allylaldehyde
Chemical name (German): Acrolein, 2-Propenal
Chemical name (French): Acroléine, 2-propénal
Appearance: colourless or yellowish liquid with penetrating odour
BASIC CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA
Empirical formula: C3H4O
Rel. molecular mass: 56.06 g
Density: 0.84 g/cm3
Relative gas density: 1.94
Boiling point: 52.5°C
Melting point: -87°C
Vapour pressure: 29.3 x 103 Pa
Flash point: -26°C (closed cup)
Ignition temperature: 280°C
Explosion limits: 2.8 - 31 vol.% (in air)
Odour threshold: 0.2-0.4 ppm
Solvolysis/solubility:in water: 21.4 wt%
soluble in organic solventsConversion factors:
1 ppm = 2.33 mg/m3
1 mg/m3 = 0.43 ppm
ORIGIN AND USE
Usage:
Acrolein is an important intermediate used mainly for the production of D,L-methionine (essential amino acid as an animal feed supplement) or acrylic acid (used to make acrylates). Furthermore, it is used as a very effective broad spectrum aquatic biocide e.g. to control the growth of aquatic weeds. On account of its low odour and irritation threshold, acrolein is added to other highly toxic substances as a warning agent.
Origin/derivation:
Acrolein is produced by heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase oxidation of propene. Acrylic acid and carbon oxides are the by-products of this reaction.
Toxicity
| Humans: | LCLo 153 ppm, inhalation (10 min) | acc. UBA, 1986 |
| TCLo 1 ppm, inhalation | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| TCLo 330 ppb, inhalation (child, 2 h) | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| Mammals: | ||
| Rat: | LCLo 8 ppm, inhalation (4h) | acc. UBA, 1986 |
| LD50 46 mg/kg, oral | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| LD50 50 mg/kg, subcutaneous | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| Mouse: | LC50 66 ppm, inhalation (6 h) | acc. UBA, 1986 |
| LD50 40 mg/kg, oral | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| LDLo 2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal | acc. UBA, 1986 | |
| Aquatic organisms: | ||
| Fish: | 1-5 ppm lethal | acc. UBA, 1986 |
| Aquatic plants: | 1.5-7.5 mg/l toxic | acc. UBA, 1986 |
| Cold-blooded animals: | 0.05-5 mg/l toxic | acc. UBA, 1986 |
Characteristic effects:
Humans/mammals: Poisoning results in severe irritation of the eyes, the skin and the respiratory organs as well as the gastro-intestinal region. Slight exposure causes disorders of the central nervous system accompanied by dizziness, drowsiness and loss of consciousness. High concentrations cause severe burns as well as bronchitis, pneumonia and pulmonary oedemas. A mutagenic effect has only been observed to date amongst protozoons.
ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR
Acrolein is a poisonous, highly flammable and volatile liquid which is a hazard to all types of water and in particular to drinking water (water hazard class 2). Extremely small concentrations are sufficient (as a function of the pH) to have a toxic effect on aquatic organisms.
Acrolein is a constituent part of photochemical smog and - in addition to oxidation in air - is photolysed to form carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water as well as unsaturated hydrocarbons.
On the whole, acrolein is not very persistent, highly reactive and capable of being subjected to relatively rapid physical and chemical degradation. There is presumed to be no bioaccumulation (KOCH, 1989).
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
Medium/ |
Sector |
Country/ organ. |
Status |
Value |
Cat. |
Remarks |
Source |
| Air: | D | L |
0.01 mg/m3 | Long-time value | acc. BAUM, 1988 | ||
| D | L |
0.025 mg/m3 | Short-time value | acc. BAUM, 1988 | |||
| Emiss. | D | L |
20 mg/m3 | mass flow > 0,1 kg/h | acc. TA Luft, 1986 | ||
| DDR | (L) |
0.02 mg/m3 | Short-time value | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| DDR | (L) |
0.01 mg/m3 | Long-time value | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| H | (L) |
0.1 mg/m3 | acc. STERN, 1986 | ||||
| IL | (L) |
0.1 mg/m3 | 24 h | acc. STERN, 1977 | |||
| IL | (L) |
0.25 mg/m3 | 30 min | acc. STERN, 1977 | |||
| SU | (L) |
0.03 mg/m3 | 24 h, 30 min | acc. STERN, 1977 | |||
| Workp | D | L |
0.25 mg/m3 | MAK | DFG, 1989 | ||
| Workp | DDR | (L) |
0.3 mg/m3 | Short-time value | acc. HORN, 1989 | ||
| Workp | SU | (L) |
0.2 mg/m3 | acc. SORBE, 1989 | |||
| Workp | USA | (L) |
0.25 mg/m3 | TWA | ACGIH, 1986 | ||
| Workp | USA | (L) |
0.8 mg/m3 | STEL | ACGIH, 1986 |
Assessment/comments
In view of the fact that acrolein is a considerable hazard to water, its use is to be avoided in the vicinity of water reclamation sites and groundwater recharge areas. A comprehensive assessment cannot yet be given on account of the lack of findings with regard to environmental behaviour and toxicity.