Chloropropanol, 98%, stands out as an essential chemical compound, recognized for its purity and diverse role as a chemical intermediate in modern manufacturing. At the molecular level, it features the formula C3H7ClO and a molar mass of about 94.54 g/mol. The compound belongs to the family of chlorinated alcohols, where a chlorine atom attaches to a propanol backbone. Depending on the position of the chlorine, two main structural isomers exist—1-chloro-2-propanol and 2-chloro-1-propanol—with the specific isomer sometimes influencing handling or application. Industry usually requests the substance as a clear to slightly yellowish liquid for easier integration into chemical syntheses. The high-purity grade of 98% ensures lower levels of contamination, which helps safeguard downstream reactions or processes reliant on predictable chemical behavior.
Most suppliers offer chloropropanol, 98%, in a fluid, liquid state at room temperature, though cooling or specialized blends may lead it to partly crystallize. Reports put its density at around 1.13 to 1.18 g/cm3—noticeably denser than water. The product carries a faint, alcohol-like smell, and strong, irritant odor recognition helps during workplace storage and handling. Liquid chloropropanol flows with medium viscosity, avoiding the stickiness or slowness associated with some heavy alcohol derivatives. Despite its main distribution in liquid form, specialized industrial processes can turn it into semi-solid flakes, crystals, or compact pearls for specific handling needs. Each of these forms aligns with shipping safety regulations and the desired speed of dissolution in solution-making or chemical reactions.
Chloropropanol, due to its alcohol and halogen group, reacts actively with several substances in industrial settings. It dissolves well in water and many organic solvents, expanding its versatility for raw material blending or synthesis. This solubility proves essential when mixing aqueous or organic baths, controlling concentrations for lab-scale or bulk chemical reactions. The functional groups readily participate in nucleophilic substitution, elimination, or oxidation, which allow conversion into glycols, epoxy intermediates, plastics, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Over many years in chemical operations, we've learned to check compatibility charts—especially because chloropropanol can corrode some metals or degrade seals in pump and pipeline assemblies. Users in labs or factories soon realize chloropropanol can erode rubber, certain plastics, and soft metals, urging a preference for stainless steel, Teflon, or glass components.
This chemical's most notable contribution arises in its use as a raw material for synthesizing organic compounds. In the plastics industry, chloropropanol feeds into epichlorohydrin production, which later forms the backbone of epoxy resins—an irreplaceable choice for adhesives, coatings, and advanced composites. Pharmaceutical manufacturers often transform chloropropanol into more complex molecules, from anesthetics to vitamin precursors. One of the greatest values I've seen is in the laboratory, where chemists appreciate its predictable behavior when creating new molecules for research or pilot-scale routes. Paints, varnish, and printing ink formulations sometimes draw upon chloropropanol's high purity, seeking clean reactions that limit unwanted byproducts or side reactions.
Chloropropanol, 98%, earns a place in the hazardous chemical category due to its toxic potential and volatility. Direct contact with skin or eyes generates sharp irritation and, for some individuals, significant harm. Chronic exposure—by inhalation or accidental ingestion—raises suspicion of liver and kidney strain, and certain isomers have been marked as possible carcinogens by international watchdogs. My own training insists on reliable gloves, splash goggles, and proper chemical fume hoods, especially during weighing, transfer, or mixing. Storage in cool, well-ventilated spaces away from direct sunlight, ignition sources, or oxidizing materials shields workers and reduces long-term degradation of the stock. Wherever chloropropanol moves through a facility, emergency showers and eyewash stations should stand ready, and spill kits stocked with absorbents rated for chlorinated alcohols ought to anchor safety plans in real-world experience. Prompt labeling using correct pictograms and hazard phrases, under GHS and local rules, supports responsible handling.
Safety data sheets often highlight the chemical’s flammability and environmental impact potential. Chloropropanol vaporizes at moderate temperatures, and vapor can form explosive mixes with air in confined spaces. Accidents involving spills or fire demand quick isolation and thorough ventilation. With environmental release, contamination of surface or groundwater may threaten aquatic life, especially where chloropropanol spills, leaches, or seeps through poorly managed waste channels. Personal reflection on past incidents underscores that secondary containment, fast spill cleanup, and community right-to-know communication transform theory into practice. Waste management systems handling this chemical invest in scrupulous disposal—incineration or specialized chemical degradation, compliant with regional regulations and HS Code 2905399090, which categorizes chlorinated alcohols for global commerce and monitoring.
Manufacturers and industrial buyers expect full documentation, such as purity certificates and spectra confirming the 98% content. Testing laboratories routinely report water content, trace impurities, and exact weight percentages. Trade hinges on adherence to internationally established product standards for chloropropanol, guaranteeing that end users receive material matching intended process requirements or regulatory limits. Shipping chloropropanol involves detailed paperwork under the Harmonized System (HS) Code, which enables smooth customs transit, eases anti-dumping checks, and supports international traceability. In the regions where I’ve sourced or shipped this compound, regulatory officers regularly audit compliance—expecting not just technical documentation, but evidence of safe shipping practices, worker training, and environmental stewardship.
Ongoing operator training and regular safety drills can bridge the gap between rules on paper and hazard control in busy facilities. Automated monitoring of air concentrations near storage tanks or use points lowers exposure risk for everyone working nearby. In larger operations, closed transfer systems minimize splash risk and vapor escape, and fume scrubbers or localized extraction limit atmospheric emissions. Chemists developing new applications with chloropropanol must evaluate alternatives with lower toxicity, or engineer closed-loop systems to capture and recycle exhaust or residues. On the community level, factories working with any significant stock hold public outreach sessions, explaining risks and showing evidence of responsible handling. By implementing these precautions, industry can keep chloropropanol a valuable workhorse, while respecting health and environmental boundaries drawn by both lived experience and evolving science.
Providing high-quality chemical products and logistics solutions for global trade partners.
