Material Safety Data Sheet for Tert-Butyl Peroxy-2-Ethylhexanoate (TBPEH)

Identification

Product Name: Tert-Butyl Peroxy-2-Ethylhexanoate
Chemical Formula: C12H24O3
CAS Number: 3006-82-4
Synonyms: TBPEH, Peroxy Acid Ester, Tert-Butylperoxyisooctanoate
Manufacturing Use: Polymerization initiator for plastics and resins
Supplier Details: Contact information for chemical manufacturer or distributor
Emergency Contact: Local and national emergency phone numbers

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Organic Peroxide Type D, Skin Irritant, Eye Irritant
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer. Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation and serious eye damage. Possible respiratory tract irritation.
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation Mark, Corrosive Symbol
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Store away from reducing agents and combustible materials. Use personal protective equipment when handling.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tert-Butyl Peroxy-2-Ethylhexanoate
Common Name: TBPEH
PURITY: ≥98%
Impurities: Possible trace quantities of tert-butanol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid
Additives: Stabilizers to limit self-accelerating decomposition
Mixture: Not a mixture, single-component organic peroxide

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if breathing difficulties continue.
Skin Contact: Wash immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Seek medical help for persistent irritation or symptoms.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Immediate medical attention required.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting. Seek medical advice immediately. Never attempt to give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, water spray, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Water mist preferred to cool containers and reduce vapor buildup.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet may spread the fire. Avoid halon extinguishers.
Special Hazards: Decomposition produces flammable and toxic vapors including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and possibly organic acids. Liberation of oxygen intensifies fires.
Protective Equipment: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus required for firefighters.
Other Advice: Evacuate area and contain runoff to prevent environmental contamination.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and impermeable clothing. Remove all sources of ignition and ventilate area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage entering drains, watercourses, or soil. Notify authorities of significant releases.
Containment: Absorb with inert material (such as vermiculite or sand), collect in labeled containers, and dispose of following local regulations.
Cleaning Procedures: Wash spill area extensively with water. Prevent vapor accumulation in low areas.
Large Spill Response: Evacuate personnel and seek professional hazardous material responders.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Keep product in original closed containers. Avoid rough handling, shock, friction, or any operations that might cause static discharge. Restrict untrained personnel from access. Always use non-sparking tools.
Storage: Store in cool, well-ventilated location, away from sunlight, heat sources, and incompatible chemicals such as acids, bases, reducing agents, or combustibles. Store at recommended temperatures and avoid temperature variations.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong acids, bases, oxidizers, and flammable materials.
Other Measures: Provide emergency shower and eyewash stations near storage and use locations.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Operate with adequate local exhaust ventilation to maintain airborne concentrations below permissible limits. Use explosion-proof equipment.
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for this material, handle as hazardous chemical.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved organic vapor respirators for exposures above the recommended threshold.
Skin Protection: Wear solvent-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC), long-sleeved clothing, and chemical-resistant apron.
Eye Protection: Use tight-fitting safety goggles and face shield.
Hygiene Measures: Change contaminated clothing immediately, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while handling this product. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear or pale yellow liquid
Odor: Slightly sharp, pungent.
Odor Threshold: Not well established
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Melting/Freezing Point: Below -20°C
Flash Point: Around 65°C (closed cup)
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not available
Vapor Pressure: ~1 mmHg at 20°C
Relative Density: Approximately 0.895 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents (ethers, esters)
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated 5.2
pH: Not applicable
Viscosity: Low viscosity

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Decomposes rapidly at elevated temperatures, especially above 45°C.
Reactivity: Strong oxidizer. Can react violently with reducing agents and incompatible chemicals.
Hazardous Reactions: Risk of explosion if exposed to heat, shock, or contamination.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flame, sparks, mechanical shock, direct sunlight, and static discharge.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, alkalis, heavy metal compounds, reducing agents, combustible substances.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, tert-butanol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, possibly other toxic fumes.

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): between 200 and 2000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Can cause moderate to severe irritation on contact.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Severe eye irritant.
Respiratory Effects: Can cause irritation to respiratory tract. Prolonged or repeated exposure may result in headaches, dizziness.
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term health effects not fully characterized. No evidence of carcinogenicity or mutagenicity.
Sensitization: Not classified as sensitizing based on available data.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environment.
Persistence and Degradability: Readily breaks down in environment under light and biological activity.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Possible moderate potential due to hydrophobic character.
Mobility in Soil: Low solubility, likely to remain in upper soil layers; risk to groundwater low but not negligible.
Other Adverse Effects: Release of large quantities can impact aquatic ecosystems and oxygen demand.

Disposal Considerations

Safe Handling for Disposal: Collect residues in tightly sealed, labelled hazardous waste containers. Keep away from combustible materials during disposal.
Disposal Methods: Incinerate at approved facilities equipped for organic peroxides. Do not allow to enter public sewers or natural waterways.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers must be treated as hazardous. Remove all product and rinse before recycling or disposal through licensed contractor.
Regulatory Waste Number: Check local, regional, and national regulations governing chemical peroxide waste.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3103
UN Proper Shipping Name: Organic Peroxide Type D, Liquid (tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate)
Transport Hazard Class: 5.2
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Organic Peroxide symbol
Special Precautions: Segregate away from foodstuffs, animal feed, and incompatible cargo.
Emergency Response Guide Number: 145
Other Transport Notes: Vehicles should have adequate ventilation and temperature controls to prevent decomposition.

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Classified as hazardous. Requires reporting of significant releases under CERCLA.
EPA: Reportable Quantity (RQ) and hazardous waste status depend on local listing.
REACH Status: Pre-registered substance; check ECHA database for local registration.
TSCA: Listed in the US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
WHMIS Canada: Controlled product, requires workplace labeling.
Other Regulations: Follow country and region-specific environmental, safety, and occupational health guidelines.