Product Name: Isopentane
Synonyms: 2-Methylbutane
CAS Number: 78-78-4
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemicals, industrial solvents, foaming agent for polystyrene, calibration fluid
Supplier/Manufacturer: Information provided on container label or company literature
Emergency Contact: Refer to local, national, or manufacturer’s emergency resources
Chemical Family: Aliphatic hydrocarbon
Formula: C5H12
GHS Classification: Flammable liquids, Category 1; Aspiration hazard, Category 1; Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure), Category 3 (narcosis)
Pictograms: Flame, Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. May cause drowsiness or dizziness. May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces – no smoking. Avoid breathing vapors. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Wear protective gloves, eye protection.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin or eye contact
Potential Health Effects: Causes central nervous system depression, headache, dizziness, nausea. May cause skin and eye irritation. Inhalation of high concentrations can lead to unconsciousness.
Chemical Name: Isopentane
Common Name: 2-Methylbutane
Concentration: 100%
CAS Number: 78-78-4
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: None reported for laboratory or reagent grade isopentane
Inhalation: Move affected person into fresh air and keep at rest in a comfortable position. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult or symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Seek medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Obtain medical attention.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water if the person is conscious. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek immediate medical attention.
Most Important Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, irritation to eyes and skin.
Notes for Physicians: Risk of chemical pneumonitis following aspiration, treat symptomatically.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam. Do not use water jets as these may spread fire.
Specific Hazards During Fire: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to sources of ignition. Containers may explode in heat of fire.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit.
Advice for Firefighters: Cool exposed containers with water spray. Evacuate area. Prevent runoff from entering water supplies. Consider wind direction.
Flash Point: −51°C (−59.8°F)
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 420°C (788°F)
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, eliminate ignition sources, ventilate area. Avoid breathing vapors, prevent contact with skin and eyes. Use personal protective equipment as specified.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, surface waters, or confined spaces. Report spills to local authorities if required.
Methods for Containment and Clean-Up: Stop leak if safe to do so. Contain spillage with non-combustible absorbent materials such as sand or earth. Collect and place in appropriate containers for disposal. Dispose of waste according to local regulations.
Special Procedures: Use vapor-suppressing foam to reduce vapors. Ventilate the area after clean-up.
Other Precautions: Remove all sources of ignition. Use explosion-proof equipment. Prevent accumulation of static charge.
Safe Handling: Prevent inhalation of vapors. Avoid skin and eye contact. Ground and bond containers during transfer. Use only non-sparking tools. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Storage Requirements: Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and incompatible materials such as oxidizers. Store in an approved flammable liquids area.
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, chlorine, acids
Other Information: Establish safety shower and eyewash stations near work area. Keep container tightly sealed.
Specific End Uses: Use according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Assess risk based on intended application.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 600 ppm (STEL), OSHA PEL: 1200 mg/m3 (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use explosion-proof local exhaust ventilation. Maintain concentrations below exposure limits.
Personal Protective Equipment:
Appearance: Colorless, volatile liquid
Odor: Gasoline-like, mild hydrocarbon odor
Odor Threshold: Not measured
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point / Freezing Point: −160°C (−256°F)
Boiling Point: 27.8°C (82°F)
Flash Point: −51°C (−59.8°F)
Evaporation Rate: Rapid
Flammability: Extremely flammable liquid and vapor
Upper/Lower Flammability or Explosion Limits: Lower: 1.4% vol, Upper: 8.3% vol
Vapor Pressure: 460 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.5 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.62 (water = 1)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, miscible with most organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 3.5
Auto-ignition Temperature: 420°C (788°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Not available
Viscosity: Not available
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
Reactivity: Ignites readily, may react with strong oxidizing agents, acids.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, hot surfaces, static discharge, direct sunlight.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning produces toxic gases including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, halogens, acids, peroxides.
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: LC50 (inhalation, rat): > 35,000 ppm/4h. LD50 (oral, rat): > 2500 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild irritation on prolonged or repeated exposure.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: May cause irritation.
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Not classified as a sensitizer.
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Not classified.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Reproductive Toxicity: Insufficient data.
Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure: May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure: Not expected under normal conditions.
Aspiration Hazard: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Symptoms Related to Physical, Chemical, and Toxicological Characteristics: Dizziness, narcosis, headache, drowsiness, nausea.
Ecotoxicity: Not expected to be acutely hazardous to aquatic life, classified as low concern for short-term effects.
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96 hr): > 10 mg/L (estimated)
Persistence and Degradability: Inherently biodegradable, degrades in air by photochemical processes.
Bioaccumulative Potential: May bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms due to high log Kow.
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in soil, may volatilize rapidly from moist surfaces.
Other Adverse Effects: Ozone formation potential due to volatile organic compound nature, contributes to smog formation under specific environmental conditions.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of contents and container according to local, regional, and national regulations for flammable organic liquids.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Disposal Precautions: Do not allow undiluted product or large quantities to reach sewage system, bodies of water, or soil.
Recommended Disposal: Incinerate in an approved chemical waste facility; consultation with regulatory authorities is critical.
Other Considerations: Users should consider suitability of disposal method for particular site conditions and applicable laws.
UN Number: UN1265
UN Proper Shipping Name: Pentanes
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Special Provisions: Emergency response guide 115
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant
Transport Labels: Flammable liquid symbol required on containers
Additional Information: Comply with all transport regulations of road, rail, sea, and air (ADR, RID, IMDG, IATA).
OSHA: Classified as hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200
TSCA: Listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA Title III – Sections 311/312: Immediate, fire hazard
SARA Title III – Section 313: Not subject to reporting
California Proposition 65: Not on list
WHMIS (Canada): B2 (Flammable Liquid), D2B (Toxic Material causing other toxic effects)
Other Regulations: Subject to regulation under European REACH, Canadian DSL/NDSL
Safety, Health, and Environmental Regulations: Consult local, state, and federal laws before use or disposal.
