2-Propanol, 1-chloro-3-ethoxy- turns heads among industrial chemicals for its unusual mix of properties and versatility in various applications. The molecular formula, C5H11ClO, gives a clear picture of its arrangement: five carbon atoms bonded with chlorine, oxygen, and hydrogen in a unique pattern. With a CAS number tying official records to this name, labs and warehouses recognize it swiftly by both nomenclature and inventory tags. The structure tells a story: a central propanol backbone, the presence of a chloro group at the first carbon, and an ethoxy group at the third, giving the molecule flexibility in chemical reactions, solvent behavior, and as a precursor for specialty compounds.
This compound emerges predominantly as a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature, though temperature and storage conditions take it through liquid, semi-solid, or crystalline states depending on purity and environment. The density stands at roughly 1.02 to 1.04 g/cm³ at 20°C, and the volatility places it in a category similar to other mid-weight chlorinated alcohols with a moderate boiling point. Are you likely to see it as flakes or pearls? Large-scale industrial supplies sometimes process it as a bulk liquid for drum filling, but specialized environments can receive solidified or crystallized forms, especially when custom reactivity or solubility is needed. As a raw material, it rides the fine line between specialty chemical and general-use intermediate—turning simple feedstocks into complex results downstream.
Look at the material in a lab: it has a faint, sweet odor, and shows moderate solubility in water, increased solubility in many organic solvents, and low viscosity for mixing or reaction setups. It resists strong bases and oxidizing agents, offering chemists a reliable building block that doesn’t break down without deliberate effort. In reactions, it opens new avenues: the chloro substituent invites nucleophilic substitution, while the ethoxy moiety nudges the molecule’s polarity and reactivity. Industrial chemists may target this compound for its selective reactivity—something critical for making specialty surfactants, pharmaceuticals, or fine-chemical intermediates. Melting points range based on purity but usually sit just below room temperature, giving flexibility in handling and formulation.
Moving 2-Propanol, 1-chloro-3-ethoxy- across international borders ties its journey to a specific Harmonized System Code, often falling under 2905 for halogenated alcohols. The HS Code ensures customs officers and regulators keep tabs on quantities, uses, and hazard levels during transport. Procurement teams notice direct links between supply chain efficiency, regulatory labeling, and safe distribution. Tighter controls have been popping up less for environmental reasons and more to avoid misuse as a precursor in unregulated chemical processes.
Working hands-on with this compound reveals its potential risks. Skin contact sometimes causes irritation; inhaling vapors can lead to respiratory discomfort, headaches, or more acute symptoms at high concentrations. Chronic exposure or improper disposal raises red flags. For example, regulatory agencies label it as hazardous according to GHS criteria—users need gloves, goggles, and fume extraction when prepping it for reactions or repackaging. Spills on the shop floor require prompt cleanup, not only to avoid slips but to keep vapors from accumulating or finding a flame. Waste disposal runs through regulated channels, marked as hazardous chemical waste, following strict guidelines to prevent groundwater contamination or toxic byproduct formation. Many labs keep it in secondary containment, temperature-controlled environments, away from incompatible chemicals like strong acids, bases, or oxidizers.
Manufacturing practices increasingly pull this chemical into production for downstream uses—especially where its unique mix of alcohol and ether-like features drives reactions or lends stability to intermediates. Progress in technology and automation means that exposure levels on the factory floor drop as closed-loop systems handle product transfer and dispensing, balancing productivity and worker safety. Risk assessment programs lean on real case studies: a single container mishap can trigger reviews, bringing in fresh training and updated labeling, while third-party audits make sure compliance measures cover not just regulations, but real hazards workers face daily. Solutions build from experience—lock-step routines for storage compatibility, regular air monitoring, and batch tracking all shore up defenses against accidental exposure or release. Businesses with a strong safety record make investments in training and environmental controls, seeing fewer incidents, less product loss, and steady regulatory approval. On a broader scale, sharing best practices through industry networks or regulatory bulletins keeps the whole sector moving forward, viewing every new update as a direct investment in both product integrity and human health.
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