1-Chloro-2-propanol phosphate (3:1) stands out as an organophosphorus compound often encountered in the wide world of flame retardant additives. As a blend with a designated phosphorus ratio, this chemical demonstrates a strong commitment to fire resistance, serving as a raw material in industrial formulation labs and manufacturing settings. The blend typically features a clear to pale yellow liquid nature, but the appearance may also shift into less common physical forms, like semi-solid or crystal if conditions favor. Its presence in fire-retardant foams, plasticizers, and coatings makes it far from rare, and it often influences decisions in product safety, compliance, and worker health.
This compound rolls in with a molecular formula, sometimes generalized as C9H18Cl3O4P, based on a predominant mixture of mono- and diester phosphates where the phosphorylation happens on 1-chloro-2-propanol. Structural illustrations reveal a central phosphorus atom double-bonded to an oxygen, with three esterified alcohol groups, each containing chloro and hydroxypropyl units. This structure gives it versatile solubility and a strong capacity to interact with synthetic polymers. The chemical framework is stable under most storage conditions but reacts to high heat or strong acids and bases.
Most samples of 1-chloro-2-propanol phosphate carry a liquid profile at room temperature, yellowish or colorless, with a density typically reported around 1.25 to 1.30 g/cm3. The viscosity can get fairly thick, sometimes reaching over 400 centipoise at room temperature, so pouring from a drum takes time. Water solubility depends on precise formulation, but mixtures often lean toward limited miscibility with water yet blend smoothly into organic solvents such as acetone or ethyl acetate. Freezing and melting points sit notably below zero, shrinking the risk of solidification under most shipping climates. Buyers look for products meeting technical specifications, and details such as acidity, phosphorus content, chloride ion concentration, and appearance govern acceptance just as much as bulk form: liquid, flakes, pearls, or powder. Packed by weight, these factors can spell the success of a downstream application.
Trade and transport of this phosphate rely on a harmonized system (HS) code, widely referenced by customs officials. Most sources classify it under HS Code 2919.90, denoting phosphoric ester and their salts/derivatives, though regulatory subtleties in some regions may nudge it toward codes for chlorinated organics or flame retardants. Clear documentation on the HS code ensures smoother cross-border trade while keeping inspectors confident in the shipment’s intention and safety compliance status.
Safety teams approach 1-chloro-2-propanol phosphate with the same caution reserved for organochlorine and phosphate ester blends. Long-term handling can deliver skin and eye irritation if basic protocols, like gloves and goggles, get neglected. Inhalation of mist or prolonged skin contact prompts localized irritation or sensitization, backed up by years of worker experience in polyurethane foam factories and chemical plants. Potential hazards expand if the material gets heated: phosphoric fumes or decomposition byproducts such as hydrochloric acid should not end up part of a workplace’s daily airflow. Material safety data sheets rate it as harmful if swallowed, with moderate long-term environmental persistence. Always ensure spill containment and proper ventilation in storage rooms. Fire departments react strongly to its combustion profile, since inappropriate burning may produce hazardous phosphorus oxides or chlorine gas. Federal and local chemical safety officers, especially in Europe and North America, often tighten usage quotas, labeling, and waste disposal.
While liquid form dominates the market for this phosphate, refiners provide alternatives to suit downstream needs. Flakes and solid powders occasionally show up for dry blending into polymer composites. Pearls—small, bead-like aggregates—offer convenience in precise batching. Commercial solutions, sometimes mixed in compatible solvents, provide a targeted way of introducing flame retardant properties to waterborne or solvent-based industrial liquids. Photographs of typical warehouse storage suggest containers ranging from 20-liter jerricans to 1000-liter IBC totes, each labeled with hazard warnings and composition details.
Walk into any plant using rigid polyurethane foams, polyester resins, or synthetic flooring, and 1-chloro-2-propanol phosphate appears as a staple additive. Its flame-retardant properties owe everything to the feedstock—epichlorohydrin, phosphorus oxychloride, and propylene oxide—each processed for maximum purity and reactivity. Producers source raw materials for consistent elemental ratios; any deviation changes the performance of finished plastics, rubbers, or coatings. History in industry testifies to repeated calls for alternatives, but the phosphate’s reliability and compatibility with dozens of matrices lets it keep a strong market position. Choices around raw material sourcing—favoring high-purity and traceable chemical origins—can help minimize hazardous impurities, boost performance, and keep regulatory officers satisfied.
Worker health and environmental leaders often ask, “How can we balance fire resistance, production cost, and long-term toxicity?” Experience in regulatory research highlights gradual shifts: manufacturers explore halogen-free phosphate blends, look for biobased phosphorylating agents, or add systems for solvent recovery and air scrubbing. Solutions hinge on better process control and improved ventilation, double-checked by occupational hygiene sampling. Factories invest in automated dosing, dust extraction, and chemical spill drills. Public safety relies on clear hazard labeling, training, and investments in personal protective equipment. Downstream product designers chase certifications, including RoHS, REACH, and UL94 for flammability. The conversation never stops around greener synthesis, cleaner effluent treatment, and responsible disposal, with some companies already trialing phosphorus recycling and advanced molecular design to bring down chemical risk profiles.
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